Household Support Fund plans agreed

We will continue to work with a range of partners across the county to make sure we can get the right help to those who need it, at the right time. Our targeted approach will mean that residents can be supported and get assistance from the county council, local district and borough councils, and a range of other community and voluntary sector organisations. Our offer of support includes:

• Supermarket food vouchers for families receiving benefited-related free school meals for the May half-term and summer school holidays.
• Our welfare assistance scheme, helping households on low incomes facing an immediate financial crisis.
• Support for food banks and help with energy costs delivered by district and borough councils and Hertfordshire Community Trust.
• Support for homeless persons and survivors of domestic abuse.
• £150 vouchers for new pensioners registered for Pension Credits.
• £50 vouchers for care leavers over the age of 19, identified by our Care Leavers team.
• Further funding for our Money Advice Unit and Citizens Advice to enable them to continue offering financial and debt support.

Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said:

“We welcome the additional funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund. We understand the financial pressures that our residents are facing at the moment, and we will be working hard with our partners to ensure this additional funding is targeted where it is most needed. We will continue to lobby the government to ensure they understand the challenges we are facing here in Hertfordshire.  

“If you need help, regardless of whether you qualify for benefits, please call HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net “

For more information about the support on offer for residents both locally and national, please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/costofliving