Families, homeless, domestic violence victims, OAPs and care leavers to benefit from Household Support Fund in Hertfordshire
Families, the homeless, domestic violence victims, pensioners and care leavers will benefit from Hertfordshire County Council’s share of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
Following Government confirmation that the cash, first introduced in 2021, will be provided for a further six months until September, the authority has set out its spending strategy. The council will provide:
- Supermarket food vouchers for families receiving benefits-related free school meals for the May half-term and summer holidays;
- A welfare assistance scheme, helping households on low incomes facing immediate financial crisis;
- Support for food banks and help with energy costs delivered by district and borough councils and Hertfordshire Community Trust;
- Support for homeless persons and survivors of domestic abuse;
- £150 vouchers for new pensioners registered for Pension Credits;
- £50 vouchers for care leavers over the age of 19; and
- Further funding for the authority’s money advice unit and for Citizens Advice to enable them to continue offering financial and debt support.
Cllr Richard Roberts, Conservative leader of the council, said: “We understand the financial pressures our residents are facing and we’ll be working hard with our partners to ensure this additional funding is targeted where it is most needed.
“We will continue to lobby the Government to ensure they understand the challenges we are facing here in Hertfordshire.”
If you need help, regardless of whether you qualify for benefits, call HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net.
