Decision details

On 26 May 2022 the government announced, as part of a number of measures to provide help with global inflationary challenges and the significantly rising cost of living, that the £421m Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended from 01 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. As has been done for previous schemes, the fund will be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need. Local authorities (LAs) have discretion on exactly how this funding is used within the scope of the grant determination and guidance. Surrey County Council’s allocation of the funding is £5,290,829.72, based on the population of each authority weighted by a function of the English Index of Multiple Deprivation.

The expectation is that The Fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support government has recently made available but who are nevertheless in need. Energy bills may be of particular concern to low income households during the period of The Fund and LAs should prioritise supporting households with the cost of energy. Authorities should also consider providing support to disabled people in their area. Disabled people in particular may be facing acute challenges due to the disproportionate impact that rising costs bring for the additional services they need in order to manage their conditions, remain independent and avoid becoming socially isolated. Authorities have the ability to deliver the scheme through a variety of routes including providing vouchers to households, making direct provision of food or goods, or issuing grants to third parties (with the exception of grants for advice provision). Every area must operate at least part of their scheme on an application basis.

Payment of the grant allocation is on an arrears basis and is subject to the submission of two Management Information (MI) returns to DWP outlining the authority’s grant spend and the volume of awards for period 1 October – 31 December 2022 (due January ‘23 ) and for the period 1 October – 31 March 2023 (due April ‘23).

Decision made:

It was AGREED that:

The following allocations would be made, to be funded by Surrey County Council’s allocation of the Household Support Grant:

It should be noted that the issue of food vouchers during the May half term and the payments set out above to food banks and the VCF sector were made under delegations contained in the scheme of delegation, to ensure funds could be distributed as quickly as possible to ensure they reached vulnerable households.

To assist those most in need of assistance with the cost of food, utilities and other essentials during the winter months, with a particular focus on families with children, in line with the DWP grant conditions.

The alternative is to not accept the funding allocation from DWP which would reduce the ability of the Council to support those in the County most in need of assistance with the purchase of food and other essentials, particularly families with Children and pensioners in low income households.

A number of allocation mechanisms were considered, but the proposal above was deemed to provide the most impact and coverage across the County.

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