Over £2m support for York households in 2023/24

The Household Support Scheme for 2023/24 has been announced to support the city’s most financially vulnerable residents with the continuing cost of living crisis.

Government funding of £2,075,813 for the coming 12 months from April 2023 has been confirmed to support families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and people with disabilities.

In York the draft scheme proposes that qualifying households will be given direct payments in June and November. There is also additional discretionary funding for households which aren’t eligible for other support. Any resident claiming for a share of a discretionary £200,000 fund will be considered, and care leavers and the city’s valued foster carers will also be given dedicated financial support from a £50,000 fund.

The food and fuel voucher scheme will also receive further funding, and energy saving and debt advice will be supported through a dedicated support worker who will also help people claim all the benefits for which they are eligible. This includes the much under-claimed support for childcare costs for families claiming Universal Credit.

The funding will continue to support the city’s food offer and Warm Places next winter and there are proposals to support an interest free loan scheme through the Credit Union for those residents who cannot access existing government support.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance & Major Projects, said: 

“We’re glad to be able to offer more support to residents through the extended Household Support Fund (HSF). This extension will allow us to take a longer term view to target funds to those most in need across the full financial year.

“We will use the £2m funding to provide support to a broad cross section of households to support residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis. Approaching those already eligible for Council Tax support directly creates one less stress for them at this difficult time.”

Cllr Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods, said:

“The specialist advice worker will support people who aren’t online to help prevent them being financially disadvantaged, and to help them maximise their income and lower their outgoings with fuel efficiency advice. With Community First Credit Union, we will also pilot interest-free grants for eligible residents.”

“With our valued partners in the voluntary and community sector, we will be able to reach out to people who need food and fuel vouchers to support them with today’s higher than usual living costs.”

The report on York’s proposals to distribute the Household Support Fund will be presented to the Executive Member’s Decision Session on 24 March. The full report can be read at Agenda for Decision Session - Executive Member for Finance and Major Projects on Friday, 24 March 2023, 10.00 am (york.gov.uk)