Your questions answered
Who can apply?
If you are finding it hard to afford your food bills or if you are struggling to pay your gas, electricity, oil, water bills or other essential costs you can apply for help whether or not you receive any welfare benefits.
To be eligible:
- You must live in the county of Somerset
- You will be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents or carers
- You are struggling to pay for essentials because you don’t have enough money to pay for them
- You can provide the required proof of your identity, Somerset residency and proof of your income (the most recent, last month’s, bank statement)
Can I get help if I go to work or if I am retired or if I don’t work at all?
There will be many different reasons why it has become difficult to pay for essentials. The key thing is that you and your household are struggling to pay for ‘essentials’.
- You may need support because the cost of food, gas, electricity or oil has risen, and you can no longer afford to eat well or to keep warm.
- You may need support because you have lost your job or have had your working hours cut.
- You may need support because you have been unwell or unable to work.
If you are struggling to pay for essentials you can apply for support.
Will a Household Support Fund award affect my benefits?
No, it will not affect your benefits.
What help is available?
A voucher will be issued to eligible individuals or households that can be used in all the main supermarkets, with energy companies and to purchase essential items and appliances.
Where it is not possible to issue a voucher, the team will agree an alternative arrangement with you; this is likely to be a bank transfer.
What if I can’t apply through the website?
If this is difficult for you, there are lots of community groups, village agents, health coaches and other support organisations that know about this fund and who will be able to assist you.
How long does it take to make an application?
Citizens Advice will process completed applications in 5 working days. Incomplete applications will not be processed until all the evidence required has been provided. This will be explained to you if your application is incomplete.
Vouchers will be issued by email or SMS text wherever possible, and this is a very quick process once the award has been approved. A voucher may be sent by post to applicants that are unable to receive them by email or SMS text. This will be posted first class on the day the award is approved. Bank transfers are usually very fast and clear within hours of being processed.
I made an application but have not heard back
Where possible, you will be contacted by email. You should get a acknowledgment email when you apply. If you are expecting to hear about your application but have not received an email, please check your spam folder.
Somerset County Council and Citizens Advice in Somerset are committed to ensuring that this fund reaches those that need it most. We expect to receive a high number of applications and are doing all we can to process these quickly.
Completed applications will be processed in 5 working days. Incomplete applications will not be processed until all the evidence required has been provided.
Why can’t I apply by phone?
We expect to receive a lot of applications and must process them all before the end of March 2022.
The website form is available 24 hours a day, and by using this to make your application you will help us manage the scheme effectively.
Excluded costs
The fund can not be used to support mortgage costs but homeowners that need help with food, fuel and other essentials can apply. The fund also can’t be used for business expenses.
Fraudulent Claims
Where we suspect that fraud may have occurred, we will investigate the matter as appropriate, and this may lead to criminal proceedings.
If a claimant attempts to claim an award from the Household Support Fund by making a false declaration or providing false evidence, they may have committed an office under the Theft Act 1968.