In October 2021 the Government announced a £500m fund for those likely to suffer food or fuel poverty over the Xmas and post-Xmas period. This was called the Household Support Fund.

This offer ends at the end of this month. If you are struggling to pay for food or fuel during the current cost-of-living crisis please ask a trained independent adviser how to access this help, complete the online application form yourself (see the link below), or call the City Council directly on 08085 834333.

To ensure you know what help can be applied for and how to apply read the following key features of the Household Support Fud as it is being delivered in Coventry. The information below comes from the City Council’s own website.

What is the grant for?

The grant can be used to help with the following:

• support with food.
• heating/lighting repairs.
• essential items such as sanitary products.
• to pay for energy bills such as gas, electricity, oil and water/sewerage bills.
• to purchase essential household items like fridges, freezers and ovens.
• provide wider household support not linked to energy and water.
• In cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the fund can be used to support housing costs.

Note: The grant cannot be used for payment of mortgage costs or to pay off debts.

Can I still apply if I have no recourse to public funds?

Yes.

The fund allows the City Council to provide a basic safety net support to an individual, regardless of their immigration status, if there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution. For example, if:

• there are community care needs.
• they have serious health problems.
• there is a risk to a child’s wellbeing.

How much grant will I receive?

The award made to residents will be based on the assessed needs of individual households.

How will I be paid?

A successful award could be paid in the following ways:

• Food awards will be made by food parcel or a food voucher.
• Support for gas, electricity, oil, water/sewerage will be made by either a Paypoint Energy top-up or Paypoint voucher.
• Support for essential items may be via a grant-funded appliance award.
• Support for essential repairs such as heating/lighting may be considered and an appropriately qualified engineer assigned to assess the problem.
• Support for wider household essentials may be supported by a voucher award.

Note: this funding will not affect your benefits. It is also available to people not on benefits.

Can I apply online?

Yes – the link below will take you to that form.

You will need to send evidence to support your application. What is required will be made clear once your application has been received.

Can I make an application on behalf of someone?

Yes. The Council will accept referrals from third parties such as social workers, relatives, friends etc.

Can I make more than one application?

Yes. You can make multiple applications if your circumstances allow it.

How will you decide if I qualify?

Once your application has been received a member of the Council’s community support team will contact you to discuss your application. You will then be told of the outcome.

If your application is rejected you can request a review of the decision by writing to us or emailing us within one month of the decision date. We will look at the decision again and you will be contacted about the outcome of the review.

These funds are only available for a short time. Please make use of them.

For more information visit the following link from the City Council website – https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-democracy/services-disrupted-coronavirus/8#localsupportgrantscheme