Purpose

To seek approval for distribution of the Household
Support Fund (HSF) under the conditions laid down by central
Government and a local scheme.
 
Following on from the Government announcement on the
extension of Household Support Fund until 30 September 2024, this
report sets out how Ealing Council will allocate and process the
grant payments to vulnerable households.
 
The main purpose of the grant is to support those
most in need to help with global inflationary challenges and the
significantly rising cost of living.
 
The report sets out scheme eligibility criteria to
distribute the funds to residents together with award mechanisms
and application processes where necessary.
 
The Council has already been providing support to
vulnerable households under Household Support Fund available
between 6 October 2021 and 31 March 2024. 
 
The most recent grant conditions no longer ring fence
proportions of the funding to any particular
groups of residents; however, they now include mandatory
application processes for at least some of the funding.
 
The objective of the Household Support Fund is to
provide support to wide range of vulnerable households in most need
of support to help with significantly rising living costs through
period from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.