Household Support Fund

Winter 2022/23

We have received almost £2.9 million from the Government's Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households and individuals. 

The support will be allocated to fund the following:

Free School Meal Vouchers for School Holidays

We provided children entitled to free school meals with food vouchers for October Half Term 2022, Christmas School Holidays and February Half Term 2023.

Cost of Living Scheme "Top Up"

The Council used the fund to support residents receiving Housing Benefit who were not entitled to the full £650 cost of living payment from the Government in July 2022 and November 2022.

If you were eligible, the Revenues and Benefits department will have written to you in December 2022 to explain the amount of the entitlement and how it will be paid.

Depending on the individual's circumstances, the payments were between £300 and £650, ​and paid over two equal instalments.

They were issued in December 2022 and January 2023.

Hardship payments for food and or utility bills for residents in significant financial difficulty.

We had limited funding to help residents with utility bills who are suffering from significant financial difficulty.

This funding has now been spent and the scheme is now closed to new applications.

Support of localised Cost of Living and discretionary schemes.

Funding is also be used to support cost of living and discretionary schemes being delivered by Newcastle City Council and YHN.

Other support available

If you need extra support to help with the Cost of Living you can contact our Welfare and Wellbeing Team. 

There is a range of information about the support available for people and families during the Cost of Living

If you have experienced a crisis or disaster you may be able to apply for support through our Crisis Support Scheme.