Last month [September 2nd], the secretary for work and pensions announced the extension of the Government’s Household Support Fund for the next 6 months. Today [October 1st] they announced that they are awarding Southampton City Council £2,222,676.23 of the Household Support fund.
The Household Support Fund is provided by the Government to give local authorities financial certainty in providing support this winter, up to April 2025, to help those struggling with cost of energy, food and water.
Southampton City Council will shortly announce how residents can get support from the Household Support fund. Local authorities may use the Fund beyond emergency support, including working with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes, and items to improve energy efficiency in the home. Any updates will be shared by Darren Paffey MP on his social media and website.
As part of Darren Paffey’s joint pension credit awareness and sign up campaign with Age UK, Citizens advice and Southampton City Council to reduce pensioner poverty in Southampton.
Darren Paffey MP appeals to pensioners worried about keeping warm this winter and affording the essentials, to contact their local councils to find out what support is available to them.
If you are of pension age you may be eligible for Pension Credit or other financial support, please check this out using Age UK’s eligibility checker here.
As this fund is available to everyone who needs it in Southampton. It is urged that anyone who is worried about heating their homes, or affording the essentials, gets in touch with Southampton City Council.
Announcing the extension, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, said:
We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living.
The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago – and this Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society.
At the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.
Commenting on the announcement, Southampton Itchen MP, Darren Paffey MP, said:
“This additional funding is crucial for our most vulnerable residents. It will provide much-needed support during these challenging times, especially for families struggling with the cost of living. So this funding is hugely welcome. While this extension is welcome, we must continue to push for longer-term solutions to ensure sustainable financial security for those who need it most, by taking on the root causes of poverty through lower energy bills, economic stability, insulation and making work pay”
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