DWP bringing back 'life-changing' payments for thousands after they were axed

The Department for Work and Pensions has EXTENDED its Household Support Fund to help families struggling with the cost of living. The £421m extension to the government’s hardship fund will help “the most vulnerable” over winter, according to the government. It will also see an additional £79m allocated to devolved administrations.

Liz Kendall, the Labour Party government secretary of state for work and pensions, explained that the household support fund is a “lifeline” for people struggling with the cost of living. Sumi Rabindrakumar, head of policy and research at the Trussell Trust, welcomed the government’s extension of the household support fund, adding that the fund has enabled local authorities in England “to provide vital crisis support”.

“We’ve heard first hand from people given a lifeline through this support, with families being able to replace mouldy bedding, pay their energy bills, or no longer having to worry about affording a bus fare to work. An extension will mean people no longer face a cliff edge in support in their community ahead of another difficult winter,” Rabindrakumar said.

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“However, the effectiveness of this support has been undermined by repeated short extensions leaving local authorities unable to design and deliver support well, and people in limbo and consumed by worry.

“The time for temporary measures is over and the new government must use the time allowed by the latest extension to urgently develop a long-term strategy for crisis support.” London Councils added that the fund is “life-changing”, and its extension is “hugely welcome news”, but that “long-term funding” is needed.

Councillor Anthony Okereke, London Councils’ executive member for communities, said in a statement: “In London, boroughs have used the fund to provide meals for thousands of children during school holidays, help low-income households pay for essentials such as gas bills or school uniforms, and open warm hubs to support residents struggling with heating costs.”

Okereke added: “With so many Londoners still facing immense cost-of-living pressures, the extension of the Household Support Fund to March 2025 will boost boroughs’ ability to assist them through the winter months."