Durham Council urged to distribute £4.6m Household Support Fund

The local authority received £4.6 million in additional discretionary household support from the government after the Household Support Fund was extended until March 2025  in the October Budget. 

North Durham MP Luke Akehurst described the fundas a “lifeline” for low-income and vulnerable households and urged the local authority to outline how it will distribute the investment. 

The government scheme, managed by the council, is often used by those struggling to pay energy and food costs.

“The Household Support Fund 5 closed on September 30 and the Labour Government extended the fund in October which means nearly two months have passed since applicants were last able to access funds,” said the Labour MP. 

He added: “The council needs to explain exactly when this support will become available to those in need.”

North Durham MP Luke Akehurst (Image: Labour)

Durham County Council said the multi-million funding package is being allocated directly to eligible households or through partner organisations including local charities and voluntary groups.

Victoria Murray, Durham County Council’s head of transactional and customer services, said: “The additional funding for this year will build on the successful programmes we have been running and will be used to continue to provide support to households across County Durham which would otherwise struggle with the costs of energy, food, and water bills, as well as other essentials.

“We will continue to work with a range of partners to deliver this help in several ways, including providing vouchers to low-income households, and food or essential goods to residents; and issuing grants to third parties to increase their support offer.

“Our overarching aim will be to build on the successes of previous funding while trying to create a more sustainable approach for a ‘pathway out of poverty’.

“An application process is available for those residents who require support." Click here for more details.

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Examples of how the funding is being used:

A payment of £70 to eligible young people in education establishments in receipt of free school meals. You do not need to apply for this, and payments will be made by voucher through your education provider. Vouchers will be distributed during July.

Funding for local organisations to help residents with food and energy bill support.

Support for kinship carers and care leavers, you do not need to apply for this support. The kinship carer and care leavers team will communicate with you regarding payments.