Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) will reopen for applications at 10am on Wednesday 3 January 2024 for low-income households in the Dorset Council area.

The government scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides support in the form of supermarket vouchers. Citizens Advice will be allocating this fund on behalf of Dorset Council and vouchers will be issued to residents who meet the eligibility criteria within 6 – 8 weeks. The government scheme funded by The Department Work & Pensions

Dorset Council households will be able to apply if they have:

• an annual household net income of less than £30,000 and
• savings of less than £16,000 and
• not applied for a previous HSF payment within the last 6 months

Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance or Child Benefit. Applications are limited to one per household.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said:

“Christmas can be an expensive time for all of us and it’s important to try and start the new year off well. If you are currently struggling with the cost of living challenge, this initiative may help you as it offers supermarket vouchers to help with essentials.

“If you are applying in this window, please make sure you have not applied for a previous HSF payment since July 2023 as further vouchers cannot be issued and there are a very limited number of applications available for this window.

“If you do miss out on this window, another will open on Tuesday 6 February 2024 at 10am.”

Residents should apply online. The application form will open at 10am. Find more details including future application window dates here: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/household-support-fund

If you need help completing the form, you can telephone Customer Services on 01305 221000 or visit a customer access point.

For further information on all the support available, whether be access to food, money and debt advice or support with your household bills, visit our cost of living webpages at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help.