Vulnerable residents struggling with fuel and food poverty in the ELL boroughs will receive extra benefits this winter following an extension of the government’s Household Support Fund to channel payments through local authorities.

The fund is distributed by the Department of Work and Pensions to help local authorities tackle issues their residents struggle with the most. Here are the schemes councils have launched:

Croydon

Residents of Croydon can apply directly for help with council tax bills, with tenants in council housing and temporary accommodation that pay for utilities through service charge being the focus of help.

It builds on £6 million of hardship funding previously distributed by Croydon council that has helped over 67,000 residents so far.

Over half the allocation is set to be for Education, which will allow families in receipt of Free School Meals to receive £15 food vouchers for five weeks. There will also be a discretionary pot to cover food for families not in receipt of Free School Meals.

In addition, £150 will be awarded to tenants living in the wards with the highest fuel poverty in the borough. This will directly affect wards such as Waddon, New Addington North and South, and Broad Green, where over a quarter of households are living in fuel poverty.

The council have also said that emergency funds will be made available immediately, to tackle food and fuel poverty only.

Mayor Jason Perry said at last week’s cabinet meeting: “We know that this winter is set to hit hard, and we’re determined to ensure this funding is targeted at those who need it most.”

Councillor Lynne Hale said: “To mitigate financial risks of the council, a robust monitoring and reporting system [will be used] to ensure the right funding goes to the households in genuine need.”

Residents living in the three tower blocks on Regina Road, South Norwood will be supported in covering their fuel cost over the winter as they are paying particularly high energy bills due to the type of heating systems in the properties.

Labour Councillor Chrishni Reshekaron questioned the distribution of the funds: “We welcome the distribution of the grant; Labour councillors have been out speaking to locals and seeing the conditions that residents reside in. What consideration was given to residents living in similar tower blocks to Regina Road, what effort was made to ensure the funds were distributed fairly?”

Mayor Perry responded: “It’s good to see that the Labour group are now talking to tenants and leaseholders in the area, bearing in mind you haven’t done so for quite some time.”

He added: “An expensive heating system was put in Regina Road by the previous administration, other blocks do not have the same issue, so we reached out to Regina Road residents as a priority as they need the help to pay for the cost of their energy. The Household Support Grant will be available to other residents should they wish to apply for it.”

Further information on the process for applying for the fund and what it covers can be found here.

Hackney

Since April, residents of Hackney have benefitted from an extra £2.8 million of government funds to support households struggling with cost of food, clothing, housing, and energy and water bills.

The local authority say they are in touch with community partners to reach families in the Orthodox Jewish community. Other targets of the fund are senior citizens living in income deprivation, as well as, residents living in temporary or supported accommodation.

Children entitled to free school meals will continue to receive food vouchers from school, unlike Croydon, there is no mention of a discretionary payment for families with no entitlement to free school meals.

Mayor of Hackney, Phillip Glanville said it was imperative that help was given to those who needed it the most: “We are taking robust action to protect our finances and to continue to deliver the services you deserve and expect.

“Despite this, we have made available a package of support ─ designed to help those most in need and who are facing the starkest of choices ─ that is more generous and targeted than ever before. I urge anyone experiencing difficulties to apply for help out as soon as possible.” He added.

Information on the available support and how to apply is here

Lewisham

A cost of living emergency has been declared in the borough, with 40% of households  facing a living standards crisis due to rising costs and inflation, meaning they require assistance with bills or will be accessing a food bank.

£2.66 million will be used to support children on free school meals during holidays up until March 2023.

Cllr Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet member for finance and Strategy had called on the government to do more: “We’re facing a perfect storm of budget savings, increased demand on services, rising energy costs and inflation.  Government needs to wake up and do more to address this emergency immediately. 

“As with the pandemic we know we can’t do it alone. We are working closely with Lewisham’s brilliant charities and other third sector partners so we can continue to coordinate and target our approach to helping those most in need.” She added.

Information on how to apply can be found here.

Tower Hamlets

The Household support fund has already been allocated to eligible residents of Tower Hamlets, the council say there is no need to apply.