Household Support Fund

 

Help with cost of living

The Council is committed to supporting residents during the cost-of-living crisis poverty and will continue with work to tackle this issue beyond the life of the Household Support Fund.

With rises in energy, petrol and food prices, thousands of households across our borough have been feeling the squeeze.

The Household Support Fund is a short-term emergency fund, and income maximisation through employment and benefits are a more sustainable solution to poverty. Please use the better off calculator to ensure you are getting all the benefits you  are rightly entitled to before applying for a Household Fund Payment . If you need help to use the better off calculator or make a claim for benefits, please contact the Welfare Benefits Service at welfare.benefits@redbridge .gov.uk or on 020 8708 4180.

Debt is a significant issue for many and in the current economic climate many are experiencing financial difficulties with problem debt. The council has partnered with Money Helper who provide free and impartial money advice. You can contact them at Money Adviser Network for personalised, specialist debt advice.

Work supports the longer-term aim of financial resilience, and it is important to improve your chances of getting into employment. The Council provides support with preparing for work and finding employment through Work Redbridge.

You can use the Turn 2 Us grants database to see what support you may be able to access.

There are two great places to save money in the borough:

  1. Ilford Community Grocery Store. Join the store for £5 a year and you can buy 12 items for just £5 each time you shop. It is located at 25-29 Clements Rd, Ilford. For more details see: https://communitygrocery.org.uk/ilford/ 
  2. The TCL Reuse Centre sells refurbished furniture and white goods at very affordable prices. For more details see: https://www.tclreuse.org/buy/ 

You can find more information on cost-of-living support by visiting GOV.UK website.

The Household Support Fund is funded by the UK Government and is designed to help households with the cost-of-living crisis. The current finding will end on 31 March 2025.

Redbridge Council is distributing the Household Support Fund through:

  • direct applications via our online form or at outreach events
  • applications from professionals
  • applications from third party organisations
  • free school meals outside of term time
  • supporting third party organisations 
  • proactive support to identified cohorts 

The fund is designed as a short-term emergency payment for low income, vulnerable households to assist with essentials, including food, energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water and wider essentials. 

There are different ways of accessing the Household Support Fund:

  • Directly via our online application form.
  • Referral by a professional currently working with you or your family, such as a social worker, educational welfare officer, family support worker or through your child's school

What is the eligibility criteria for the Redbridge Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund is discretionary, and awards are decided on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for a payment, you will need to meet at least the following eligibility criteria:

  • You must be over 18
  • You must live in Redbridge, or
  • Reside in out of borough, temporary accommodation provided by Redbridge Council
  • You must not have household savings over £1000
  • You must demonstrate that you are in ‘financial crisis’ This is defined as ‘an inability to meet essential payments out of disposable income or at all’. Examples include non-payments of essential bills or having to borrow further to repay existing debts.’
  • Applicants who are asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds will, with proper ID, be considered on a case-by-case basis

This is a discretionary award, and the Council reserves the right to amend these criteria at any time.

 

What Happens After You Apply?

After you submit your application, several steps will follow to ensure that all necessary information is provided and that your application is processed correctly.

Supporting Evidence

All applications must be accompanied by supporting evidence, such as bank statements, proof of income, and utility bills. If the correct evidence is not provided, an officer will contact you to inform you of what is required. You will have ten days to submit the necessary documents.

Cross-Checking and Income Maximisation

All applications will be cross-checked with Council Tax and Benefit records and any other data available to the council. Additionally, an income maximisation check will be completed to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. You may also be provided with budgetary advice and recommendations to improve your money management.

Debt Referral

If you have any debt, you will be referred to an appropriate advice agency for further assistance.

Employment Support

Where it is considered that you would benefit from employment support, you will be referred to Work Redbridge.

 Assessment and Outcome

We aim to assess your application within 10 days of all the evidence being received. We understand the importance of timely responses and strive to ensure that each application is reviewed thoroughly and efficiently. Please ensure that all required evidence is submitted promptly to facilitate this process.

Once your application is assessed, you will be notified of the outcome in writing. Your decision letter will include advice tailored to your individual circumstances. If your application is successful, vouchers will be sent to you either by email or text message.

Household Support Fund Limitations

Please note that the Household Support Fund has a cash limit, and there is a duty to support as many residents as possible. Therefore, the number of awards per applicant will be limited to two.

By following these steps, we aim to provide you with the necessary support and ensure that your application process is as smooth as possible.

Apply here