Guidance for applications to Tameside Council for Household Support Fund
Introduction
1. This guidance is intended to support Tameside Residents applying to Tameside Council for a grant from the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme announced by the Government (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-500m-support-for-vulnerable-households-over-winter) in September 2021, and first made available to Councils in October 2021. Additional funding has now been allocated for the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
2. This guidance sets out the criteria under which residents will qualify to make an application to the Household Support Fund, the levels of grant award that are expected to be made and the evidence required to support an eligible application. This is aligned with the final Government guidance.
3. The objective of The Fund is to provide support to vulnerable households who are not eligible to receive Cost of Living payments made via the DWP: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
4. Although this is considered an extension to the previous three Household Support Fund schemes, it is a new grant subject to its own grant conditions.
5. Tameside Council has been allocated £4,449,373 of funding for this scheme for the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. £1,224,123 is available for the application route, with the majority of the fund disbursed to families with children eligible for free school meals directly via schools to support with school holiday periods.
6. To ensure that funding is available throughout the entire funding period, which ends 31 March 2024, it will be disbursed in waves with funding retained for each delivery period. Demand will be monitored throughout and reported on to ensure funds are best utilised:
Wave 1: June 2023 to August 2023 - £374,707
Wave 2: September 2023 to November 2023 - £374,708
Wave 3: December 2023 to February 2024 - £374,708
Wave 4: March 2024 if funding remains from Waves 1 to 3 and time allows for payments to be made before the end of the funding period.
7. The full decision confirming how the fund will be spent in Tameside is available here: Decision - HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND ROUND 4 - APRIL 2023 TO MARCH 2024 (moderngov.co.uk)
Scope and eligibility
8. The Government guidance gives the Council discretion over the grant scheme, within the boundaries laid out by their guidance as above, and its decisions regarding the scheme will be final. There is no appeal process for this grant scheme.
9. The fund is available until 31 March 2024, or until funds are fully exhausted.
All applications will be assessed for eligibility, and applicants are asked to supply evidence to support their claim for funds. If evidence requests are not responded to by the deadline given the application cannot be processed.
10. Using the guidance issued to the Council by the Government, it has been determined that the Household Support Fund will be open to residents of Tameside in low income households. This is determined through Equivalisation calculation based on income of all household members. Households Below Average Income: an analysis of the UK income distribution: FYE 1995 to FYE 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
11. The threshold for Low Income is £339.00 PW.
Tameside Council’s approach
12. Eligible residents have the opportunity to access this via an appointment to ensure that residents are aware of wider support and that they are applying for the support most relevant to their circumstances.
13. All applications will be assessed to confirm eligibility. Should insufficient evidence be supplied to support an application, the applicant will be informed and supported to rectify this in a timely manner.
14. To ensure that grant payments remain within the funding allocated by Government, payments will be made on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants including those who are not eligible for the Cost of Living payments Government has recently made available but who are in need, until the funding is exhausted.
15. The Council reserves the right to vary the terms of the scheme including the value of awards made under the scheme, at any time, and without notice, should it be necessary to do so.
Evidence Required
16. In order for the application to be considered, we require residents to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria. We anticipate that to do this, you will need to provide:
i Evidence to confirm residence in Tameside, such as a Council tax reference or bill; or other document demonstrating residence in the borough i.e. utility bill, rent agreement. Any document provided must be dated within, or applicable to, the period April 2023 to March 2024.
ii Proof of household income level, i.e. Payslips, bank statements, full universal credit payment breakdown for all household members.
iii A valid bank statement showing the account holders name, address, sort code and account number and transaction details to allow for payment to be made via BACS. This must be no more than 3 months old.
17 Where applicable for their application:
i Proof of children resident in their household.
ii Proof of number of people resident in their household.
iii Rent agreements and proof of any arrears.
iv Utilities bills and proof of any arrears.
Grant Amounts and how payments will be made
18. The Council has access to limited funds from Government for this scheme. Awards of £300 per household will be made to eligible applicants.
19. The Fund can be applied for a maximum of 3 times within the funding period (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) at a minimum of 3 month intervals, subject to funding remaining available.
20. The scheme will operate on a first come, first serve basis until all funding is fully utilised and exhausted to ensure the Council does not overspend on its allocated funding from Government.
21. Residents can book an appointment to apply for this scheme by emailing householdsupportfund@tameside.gov.uk or calling 0161 342 8355
Proposed timeline for the grant scheme
22. The timeline for the scheme is:
i Appointments initially open 6 July 2023
ii Payment of grants – From 11 July 2023 awarded and paid out on a first come, first serve basis.
iii Final payments will be made on or before 31 March 2024
Other information
23. The Government and the Council will not accept deliberate manipulation and fraud - and any resident caught falsifying their records, or evidence of need to gain grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be subject to claw back, as may any grants paid in error.
24. All data submitted in relation to an application for this scheme will be shared across departments of Tameside Council, National Government and approved suppliers of anti-fraud services, for the purposes of preventing fraud, in line with GDPR regulations.
25. The Council does not accept any liability for any issues that may arise for residents because of applying for, receiving, or not receiving grant payments under this scheme.
26. Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to householdsupportfund@tameside.gov.uk