The Household Support Fund provides short-term, urgent financial help to Somerset residents who cannot afford household essentials. Things like food and paying for prepayment meter energy bills.
Funding for this scheme is from the Department for Work and Pensions. You can find out more about the Household Support Fund and other help that is available on the GOV.UK website. You can apply once as a household for this funding, in each funding round. Funding rounds run every six months, currently from October 2024 to March 2025.
What the fund will cover
The Household Support Fund cannot make direct payments towards bills. It does not provide cash payments or make payments to your bank account. Where support is approved, vouchers will be issued for an agreed monetary value. The Household Support Fund could help you if you are struggling to afford important things like:
- Gas and electricity – If you have a pre-payment energy meter, your cards or keys can be topped up. You must redeem your voucher within 5 days of receiving it. For help towards all other energy bills, food vouchers can be given in place of payment towards fuel bills. The value of the food vouchers can then be used to offset payment of fuel bills or other direct debit bills.
- Food – For help towards paying for food, supermarket food vouchers are issued which you can use in all major supermarkets. Vouchers are valid for six months from the date you receive them.
For more information, eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Apply for the Somerset Household Support Fund
