DWP urges UK households to 'act' as free payments start from today
The Department for Work and Pensions has warned UK households to "act now" - or miss out on their share of a £421 MILLION pot. The Household Support Fund, from the DWP, will kick back up on Tuesday (October 1) after initially being set up by the Tories.
The scheme is running from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Councils in England decide how best to allocate their fund – now worth £3.5billion across its lifetime – by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community.
People can find out how much their area was awarded at GOV.UK and are being urged to check their council's website or call their office to find out what support is available locally to them through the fund from the government.
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Authorities have discretion on exactly how this funding is used within the scope set out in the DWP guidance and the accompanying grant determination. he objective of the Fund is to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in most need with the cost of essentials. Authorities are expected to offer support throughout the duration of The Fund Period and must develop delivery plans to reflect this.
The DWP said: "Funds should be spent or committed before 31 March 2025 and cannot be carried over for future usage. All Authorities are encouraged to ensure, wherever possible, that any vouchers issued are redeemed before the end of The Fund, or shortly thereafter, or consider recycling unused vouchers. It is acceptable for vouchers that have been purchased and delivered to households before the end of The Fund to be spent shortly thereafter."
The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. This brings the total amount of funding announced since October 2021 to £3.5 billion including Barnett impact. This includes just under £3 billion allocated to Local Authorities in England. It is for the devolved governments to decide how to allocate this additional Barnett funding.