The Household Support Fund, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, is now open.
Please note: Once the application has been submitted, it can take between 5 to 10 working days to be processed.
For professionals to make Household Support Fund referrals.
The Household Support Fund, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, is now open.
Please note: Once the application has been submitted, it can take between 5 to 10 working days to be processed.
The primary policy objectives behind the scheme are to support families and individuals with fuel and food costs during the cost of living crisis.
This includes provision for other vulnerable families, not just those eligible for free school meals.
Vouchers and financial support from the fund can be used to help with food or energy bills and any of the following:
Many households in Leicestershire have seen their financial or family circumstances change due to the cost of living crisis. If the individual or family you are referring are on a low income and receive certain benefits, they may be able to get vouchers or financial support through the household support fund.
A referral must be made on behalf of applicants, from a professional support worker or agency. No direct applications will be accepted.
Leicestershire County Council recognises that all households may potentially be suffering hardship and seeks to provide support from the Household Support Fund to any household that meets its criteria. Families that have received Free School Meal vouchers may also require support with food, fuel or other utility costs.
Applications must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Vouchers will be provided to the parents/carers of all pupils who are eligible for FSM. These will be distributed through schools and there are restrictions that mean the vouchers cannot be used to purchase controlled products such as alcohol and tobacco.
Children attending a Leicestershire school or further education college that are eligible, will be issued with vouchers to the value of:
Leicestershire pupils who attend schools in other areas will be provided with vouchers or in-kind support by the local authority in which the establishment is located.
The council will arrange the provision of vouchers for:
Families with children aged 0-5 eligible pre-school aged children in Leicestershire attending early years provision at a childminder, pre-school or day nursery may be entitled to the food vouchers if they usually attend sessions before and after lunch.
Children who reside in Leicestershire, and attend early years provision at a childminder, pre-school, or day nursery and are accessing their 2-year-old Free Early Education (FEEE) or Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) will be issued with vouchers to the value of:
Families with children aged 0-5 eligible pre-school aged children in Leicestershire attending early years provision at a childminder, pre-school or day nursery may be entitled to the food vouchers if they usually attend sessions before and after lunch.
If we need to make any changes, we’ll publish and updated policy on this webpage. All applications received the day after any published changes will be assessed in line with the new policy.
Apply for the Household Support Fund
Should you have any questions about the person you are referring, or you would like to know more, contact the Household Support Fund team: householdsupportfund@leics.gov.uk.
The above email address is for referee use only and should not be shared or used by the person you are applying on behalf of.