Household Support Fund 2024 (HSF2024)

HSF 2024 closed as of 30 September 2024. New instructions for the Household Support Fund to run between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, as announced on 27 September 2024 by the Department for Work and Pensions, will be launched soon.

In most cases households have already been identified and will be approached directly with support or asked to apply.

However, there are various ways other people can seek support.

Projects are being set up across Wiltshire communities and promoted to those eligible and most in need.

Website links will be continuously updated as projects and access routes to funding become available, some of which may be delivered over the autumn months.

Wellbeing Hub

The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub Team can talk to you about your situation and support needs. By asking a few questions they can signpost you to the most appropriate scheme or Third-Party Organisation (TPO), charity or voluntary group who have HSF funding to help you.

This may include you being added to one of the proactive schemes for a discretionary award. For example, as a tenant of any of the Housing Associations that have received HSF 2024 funding towards their tenant hardship funds, if you are an unpaid carer who has not yet registered with Carers Together Wiltshire, or your household has adaptations for a disabled resident that the council are not aware of.

You should be prepared to provide evidence.

Contact the Wellbeing Hub via email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window), or call 0300 003 4576 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5 pm. 

Community food banks and providers

Some of the local food banks and Community Food Providers aided by the fund can be approached directly by residents for support. To find community food providers visit our Interactive Community Directory (opens new window).

If the food bank requires a referral, contact the Wellbeing Hub.

Warm & Safe Wiltshire

The Centre for Sustainable Energy, run Warm & Safe Wiltshire, who administer support for people who need a replacement heating system, whose income is too low to fund a replacement and who are likely to be in a 'no heat' situation without support.

They will benefit from a grant to help replace their heating system and from reduced energy bills over several years, through more energy efficient heating, combined with Warm & Safe energy advice to maximise the energy savings for the household.

Support is also available for credit meter customers with e-vouchers. This will be for those who are struggling to pay for their fuel bills, at risk of being in fuel debt and are rationing their energy use.

E-vouchers will also be provided for low-income and disadvantaged households with a standard meter. E-vouchers can be distributed to people who are struggling with the increased costs of paying for their energy and living costs generally. The vouchers can be used in supermarkets, specifically for grocery shopping to offset funds that can be used to help pay for energy.

You can apply directly to Warm & Safe or be referred by other professionals, from health or social care.

Applications can be made by:

• self-referral
  • by completing an online form - Warm and Safe Wiltshire - Centre for Sustainable Energy (jotform.com) (opens new window)
  • calling 0800 038 5722, lines are open between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday only
• professionals completing this online form - Refer a patient or client (cse.org.uk) (opens new window)

Wiltshire Council Local Welfare Provision Scheme (LWP)

The Wiltshire Council Local Welfare Provision Scheme helps people in immediate need. To find out if you are eligible, visit Help in a crisis

Applications can be made by:

• downloading the form available on Help in a crisis, located under 'How to apply'
• calling 0300 456 0110 lines are open between 9am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday only
• in exceptional circumstances only, LWP may take face-to-face, in person applications between 9am and 12 noon Monday to Friday at County Hall, Trowbridge or Monkton Park, Chippenham

Citizens Advice Wiltshire

Wiltshire Citizens Advice will provide dedicated specialist advice to those across Wiltshire in the private rented sector and those who are insecurely housed, including hostels, and those lodging with friends and family.

They will offer advice on housing rights, debt and income maximisation as well as grants to help with rent arrears and ongoing rent shortfalls.

 Applications can be made by:

• self-referral
  • complete the online contact form on Citizens Advice Wiltshire (opens new window)
  • calling 0808 278 7995 lines are open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)
• referrals from other organisations, such as:
  • Trussell Trust food banks - Cricklade, Malmesbury, Devizes, Salisbury, Amesbury and Calne
  • Doorway and Open Doors Homeless support charities
  • local charities and community groups through Wiltshire Money
  • The Integrated Care Board via the VCS Alliance and Living Well Strategy Group
  • Wiltshire Cares partnership

Free School Meals (in holidays - including SEND pupils)

To receive vouchers from your child's educational setting to cover Free School Meals (FSM) during the holidays - funded by the HSF 2024, you must first be receiving FSM during term time.

To apply for Free School Meals, you can check eligibility and follow the steps on the FSM pages.

Free school meals