Help for Households

Household Support Fund

Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions the Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021, in order to support those most in need last winter, the first phase of the scheme ended on 31 March 2022. The second round of the fund ran until September 2022 and the third round ran until March 2023.

On 17 November 2022 in the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced, as part of several measures to provide help with global inflationary challenges and the significantly rising cost of living, that the Household Support Fund (HSF4) would be extended from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 with a further £842m of funding. The fund is distributed to Unitary and County Councils. The Department for Work and Pensions has recently confirmed that Lancashire County Council (LCC) will be given £9.6 million to support those most in need to help with significantly rising living costs. Lancashire County Council (LCC) have distributed a proportion of this funding to District Councils. LCC have confirmed that Ribble Valley will receive £240,000.

Eligible households who live in the Ribble Valley, are struggling financially and have a combined household income of less than £50,000 per year can apply for a food voucher. The following voucher amounts can be applied for:

  • £200 for single households
  • £300 for households with two or more adults residing
  • £500 for households with children (household with a child is a household containing any person who will be under the age of 19 at the time of award or, a person aged 19 or over in respect of whom a child-related benefit (for example, Child Benefit) is paid or FSMs are provided.

Closed - Household Support Fund

All of the Council’s available funding has now been utilised and at this stage no further funding is available.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are eligible for/ have received the following government support schemes you will not be eligible to apply:

  • Low income benefits and tax credits Cost of Living Payments;
  • Individuals in receipt of the Disability Cost of Living Payment and/ or Pensioner Cost of Living Payment are still eligible to apply.

Please do not telephone to enquire about the fund, if you have any queries please email householdsupportfund@ribblevalley.gov.uk

Debt and Cost of Living Advisor

Ribble Valley Borough Council has appointed a debt and cost of living advisor as part of its ongoing commitment to its Household Support Fund (HSF) programme.

Aimed at providing help for residents with inflationary changes and the ongoing significant rising cost of living, the Council are now strengthening the HSF service via the appointment of a debt and cost of living advisor to both assist residents who wish to apply for the HSF fund and to help residents who feel they may need additional support and benefit advice.

The service is open to anyone who lives or works in Ribble Valley.  The debt and cost of living advisor will be available on Wednesday afternoons, and all-day on Thursdays and Fridays.  Contact and appointments can be made via the customer services team by telephone on 01200 425111.