Household Support Fund
 

The Household Support Fund is a grant provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help low income households with the rising cost of living.  This includes energy, water, food and help with wider essential costs. 
 
Further funding has been agreed for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
 
The expectation is that the fund should be used to support households in the most need, particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support government has recently made available including the Cost of Living Payments.
 
Here is the support we are providing: 

• Support to families with children who are eligible for free school meals - £15.50 for each week of the school holidays per eligible child
• Support to families who meet the eligibility criteria for 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds - £15.50 for each week of the school holidays per eligible child
• Support to care leavers - £201.50   
• Support to students at Tameside College and Ashton Sixth Form College who are eligible for additional financial support through College - £15.50 for each week of the school holidays per eligible student

 
The remaining available fund will be targeted at the following priority groups:

• Older people aged over 65 years, not in receipt of Government Cost of Living payments
• Residents in need of support, not in receipt of Government Cost of Living payments

 
Applications from residents who have received Cost of Living payments will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where the household is in extreme hardship and no other support is available. Evidence may be required depending on the circumstances and consideration will be given as to other support or funding that may be more appropriate.
 
How to apply:

1. Check you are eligible to apply for the scheme
2. Make an appointment by either email householdsupportfund@tameside.gov.uk telephone 0161 342 8355 or visit reception in Tameside One, Ashton-under-Lyne.

At the appointment, all applicants will be required to complete an application form and provide information regarding income and outgoings and provide information regarding income and outgoings in addition to the most recent three months bank statements to confirm the need for support from this fund. This will ensure that the fund is disbursed to those in the most need.
 
Other support:

• If you have an immediate need for food, contact 0161 342 8355. For information on foodbanks and community pantries see Food banks and community pantries (tameside.gov.uk)
• You can find more information on the other cost of living support available at the Government’s Cost of Living Hub (https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living)
• ‘Helping Hand Tameside’ can help you find local support services to give you a helping hand with the cost of living, your mental health and wellbeing: Helping Hand Tameside- find help local to you

 
Local organisations to contact if you are experiencing financial hardship:
 

• Citizens Advice - Citizens Advice Tameside - Free, confidential and impartial advice (tamesidecab.org.uk) - 0300 330 5457
• Welfare Rights -  Welfare Rights at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council - 0800 074 9985 (Monday and Wednesday 9.30am – 12.30pm)