Household Support Grant

The money will be used for the below initiatives delivered by the council;

• Food payments during the school holidays from October half term up to and including Easter for families who are eligible for free school meals/ Better2Gether Funding (free childcare for two-year olds) and Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).  Payments will be made via schools and settings to all those currently in receipt of payments.  Please note that, due to the timing of the national announcements, families will have received payment for the October holiday during the first week of November; all future holiday payments will be made in advance of the holidays.  Families with school age children who are eligible for free school meals but not currently claiming them can apply directly to Wiltshire Council by using the form on the Free school meals For families with younger children eligible for Better2Gether Funding  or Early Years Pupil Premium, should contact the child's setting directly to apply.  Families who are already claiming this funding should contact their child's school or setting if they have a query regarding the additional holiday payments. Please take a look at our Early Years funding for 2 year olds page .
• Providing financial contribution to low-income households with children who are not eligible for the above food payments as well as to low-income households without children. These payments will be made directly to working age low-income residents who were in receipt of Council Tax Reduction on the date that we launched the scheme, which was 7 November 2021.  Payments will be issued between mid-November and mid-December. We will contact eligible people, there is no need to contact us. 
• Support for rough sleepers with money for food, and energy set-up costs at new accommodation as well as support for those at risk of homelessness; this support will be administered by the council's Housing Department.
• Supporting Wiltshire Council tenants with fuel and food costs
• Financial support for Food Banks and linked projects to ensure they are able to purchase and provide food to those most in need.

We have also provided funding for the below initiatives. Please contact the relevant partner organisations for any more information you may need.

• Support for older and vulnerable people with underlying health conditions - Wiltshire Community Foundation's Surviving Winter campaign provides practical and financial help for people living in fuel poverty.  From 1 November, people who are in receipt of means-tested benefit and are aged over 65 or suffer from a long-term health condition, may be eligible for assistance including fuel vouchers and a range of advice.  For more information about eligibility and help available contact Warm and Safe Wiltshire on 0800 038 5722.
• Providing financial assistance to elderly residents affected by food poverty and rural isolation who are registered for Age UK's warm meals service; for further information contact Age UK Community Meals on 01793 279606.
• Providing fuel poverty support for those most in need - for households of working age earning less than the Real Living Wage and suffering with isolation, anxiety and mental health or from a hard-to-reach community like visually impaired, hard of hearing and the Boater and Travellers. Eligible residents can contact Warm and Safe Wiltshire on 0800 038 5722 or email warmandsafe@cse.org.uk (opens new window) or visit Warm and Safe Wiltshire webpage (opens new window).

Alternative sources of support are available including the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme Help in a crisis - Wiltshire Council which is an existing scheme that provides critical short-term assistance to those in crisis and in receipt of welfare benefits.

If you know of anyone who might need support but does not have internet access and have no family member, friend or neighbour that can assist, they can contact the council by phone on 0300 456 0100 who will be able to view the information for them.

Our Wellbeing Hub also remains available in order to provide support and signposting for all residents across Wiltshire, as part of the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The hub can be contacted by telephoning 0300 003 4576 or via e mail at wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

The hub opening times are Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.

 On Saturdays you can contact the Wellbeing Hub through the our Emergency Duty Service by telephoning 0300 456 0100 should you require an immediate response.

The Wellbeing Hub has a team of trained staff who welcome enquiries, and can support you with information in relation to  the interpretation of Government guidelines, current restrictions, travel, finance and hardship, local support, and the Voluntary Sector.