Introduction
Due to high demand at the moment, applications for food and energy top up vouchers may take up to 10 working days to process before a voucher is issued.
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, paying for energy and water bills and other essential household items such as beds and white goods.
How to apply
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
- Not have sufficient money to pay for essentials
- Provide the following documents when you apply
- Proof of your identity
- Proof of your address
- Proof of income
- Proof of Additional Criteria or letter from support worker to confirm this element
You can apply if 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 County Council Childrens 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 County 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
You can register for the fund here. To create an account select ‘Create Individual Account’.
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 use this link for more information
What the fund will cover
Examples of what the Household Support Fund can pay for
- Supermarket food vouchers
- Standard Divan Beds and Mattresses
- Energy Top Up Vouchers (for use with pre-payment meters)
- Contribution towards essentials such as basic clothing, non branded school uniform and baby items
- White goods
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’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
GOV.UK Cost of living fact sheet