Household support fund opens soon
The final stage of the household support fund will open to applications next week.
Dudley Council will reopen phase two of its household support fund winter scheme on Wednesday January 17 at noon.
Payments will be available to support eligible people with everyday living costs this winter period.
The council was awarded £5.2million last year through the government’s household support fund.
While a majority of the money is being is being used to support people that the council is already in contact with and are in need and most vulnerable, it earmarked £800,000 to help others who are struggling with living costs.
The funding was split into two phases at the start of the financial year, with approximately £300,000 available in round one and £500,000 for phase two.
Phase two launched in October but was paused due to demand. When phase two reopens next week, awards of £250 (or £300 if someone in the household has a disability) will be available to households if they did not receive a payment during phase one (April to September).
If households received a payment in phase one (between April and September 2023) they could still be eligible for a payment of £100 (or £125 if someone has a disability) this time.
If households have already received a payment from phase two (winter scheme) during October and December of last year (2023) then they will not be able to apply again.
Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said:
When we launched phase two in October, we saw the biggest demand yet and had to pause the scheme very quickly. This allowed us time to process the applications we had received and ensure we had enough money in the pot to help those who were eligible.
Some funding is still available which means we are now able to reopen phase two to help those most in need.
I must stress that we expect demand to be high, so we’ll monitor applications and may have to close the scheme quickly.
We hope to help as many households as possible who are on low incomes and need additional support with with household costs such as energy bills and essential items.
Details of eligibility and how to apply are available online.