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Introduction

Are you struggling with bills? Support is available

The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food and paying for prepayment meter energy bills.

DWP logo

Funding provided from the Department for work and Pensions

How to apply

information

You can go to a library and use one of their public computers to complete an online application or take in your own device and use their wi-fi for free. You can also find a list of additional household help and support here

To apply, you must:

  • Live in the county of Somerset – if you live in North Somerset, help is available from North Somerset Council
  • Be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents/carers
  • Have a total household income between £0 and £1,484 per month, or £17,809 per annum. Household income includes all benefits, earnings and pensions, except for Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Housing Benefit, and the housing element of Universal Credit.
  • Provide the following documents when you apply:
    • Proof of your identity
    • Proof of your address
    • Proof of income
    • Proof of Additional Criteria or a letter from a support worker to confirm this element

You can get help regardless of your work situation, provided you show that you are struggling to pay for essentials. A Household Support Fund will not affect your benefits.

You can apply if any of the following applies to you:

  • Are temporarily out of work
  • Are unable to work due to illness
  • Are long term unemployed and unable to retrain due to multiple reasons such as poor health
  • Have a chronic illness
  • Have a severe learning or physical disability that affects your day-to-day life
  • Are in receipt of pension credit
  • Currently use a mental health service, or a member of your household does
  • Are a carer
  • Are pregnant
  • Have a child that requires a specialist diet
  • Have a child with a chronic illness
  • Have a child with a severe learning or physical disability that affects their day-to-day life
  • Are or have been a child in care (Child looked after)
  • Are a care leaver
  • Receive support from Somerset Council Children’s Social Care
  • Are fleeing domestic abuse
  • Are homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation
  • Are a refugee
  • Are a foster carer, kinship carer or special guardian who cares for a Somerset child and can demonstrate a need for immediate or short-term support, which could not be reasonably paid for from any allowance you may receive
  • Receive support from Somerset Council Adults Social Care
  • You or your family currently have a Social Worker and are on a Child in Need Plan or on a Child Protection Plan

If you have successfully applied for the Household Support Fund in the past, and nothing has changed, you will still be eligible for support and you can apply once every 6 months.

You are unable to apply if you:

  • have savings over the value of £2000

If you do not qualify for this funding and are a Somerset resident there may be other help available. Please visit Citizens Advice for more information.

Apply

To apply, click the button below.

You will be sent to the Auriga portal and will need to make an account. To create an account, select ‘Create Individual Account’.

What the fund will cover

Examples of what the Household Support Fund can pay for

  • Supermarket food vouchers
  • Energy Top Up Vouchers (for use with pre-payment meters)

The fund will not cover:

  • Debt repayments
  • Cash payments
  • Rent or housing costs
  • Phone bills
  • Non-urgent items such as televisions and some furniture

Local and national support

You can go to a library and use one of their public computers to complete an online application or take in your own device and use their Wi-Fi for free. You can also find a list of additional household help and support here

Cost of living website – The government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

Cost of living payment – GOV.UK guidance on getting an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you are entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.

GOV.UK Cost of living fact sheet

GOV.UK Benefits calculators

GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator

Understanding Universal Credit

Last reviewed: December 6, 2023 by Helly

Next review due: June 6, 2024

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