Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund aims to help households in most need with food and energy.
Quick links
- 3 June 2024 from 9am
- 1 July 2024 from 9am
- 5 August 2024 from 9am
Am I eligible?
This scheme aims to support vulnerable households in the most need with the costs of essentials. The scheme aims to support those on a low income, have limited savings, and are particularly at risk due to factors such as disabilities or caring for young children.
Can I apply myself?
Yes, you can apply for the following:
- food
- energy bills (including heating, cooking, lighting and water).
A referrer can also complete an application on your behalf for support with food and energy bills. See Can I be referred? for further details and dates professionals can make referrals.
What will I need to provide?
You will be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as your bank statements for the last two months.
Please have these ready to upload with your application form if you are submitting an application online by yourself.
I cannot claim public funds. Can I apply?
People who cannot claim public funds are not eligible to apply for this grant.
There are some exceptions, for example where someone has community care needs, serious health problems or there is a risk to a child’s wellbeing. In these cases, please contact Children’s Services Duty and Assessment Team (for families with children) or Adults' Services Duty and Assessment Team (for individuals and couples without children) on 0116 454 1004 who will be able to assess and refer into the scheme.
How will I receive support?
We will look at the information in your application to see what support you need.
If your application is successful, your award will be made in the following ways:
- an e-voucher for food, and/or
- a Post Office Payout voucher to be redeemed for cash at your nearest Post Office for gas, electricity and water bills.
These will be a contribution towards your spending on these items, not a replacement for your entire budget.
Where can I use my food e-vouchers?
If you are awarded an e-voucher, you will need to go online to convert this into a gift card for one of the following supermarkets. You can then spend the gift card in store.
- Aldi
- Iceland
- Morrisons
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Company Shop Group
- Farmfoods
Find out how to use your e-voucher (PDF).
Can I apply more than once?
No, you can only apply once before the end of September 2024.
How will you decide if I qualify?
We will assess your application and email you to explain our decision. If you were referred by a professional, we will also provide a copy of the email to them.
Can someone apply on my behalf?
Yes, you can ask a family member or friend to apply on your behalf.
How long will this scheme run for?
The scheme will run from 3 June 2024 to the end of August 2024, unless funding is exhausted before this date.
Frequently asked questions
If you are not able to apply yourself using the online form, you can contact one of the following Leicester City Council teams if you are receiving support from them:
-
Children's social care through your social worker (if you receive support from them)
-
Adults' social care and safeguarding through your social worker (if you receive support from them)
-
Your Income Management Officer or Neighbourhood Housing Officer (if you are a Leicester City Council tenant)
-
Welfare Rights Service (if you receive support from them)
-
Transitions Team (you receive support from them)
We will only be able to accept professional referrals on the following dates between 9am and 5pm:
-
Wednesday 5 June 2024
-
Wednesday 19 June 2024
-
Wednesday 3 July 2024
-
Wednesday 17 July 2024
-
Wednesday 31 July 2024
-
Wednesday 14 August 2024
-
Wednesday 28 August 2024
- Children's social care through your social worker
- Adults' social care and safeguarding through your social worker
- Your Income Management Officer or Neighbourhood Housing Officer (if you are a Leicester City Council tenant)
- Welfare Rights Service
- Transitions Team
If you are not getting support from any of these services, or
- you do not have online access, or
- you need language support
If we need to make any changes, an updated policy will be published on this page. All applications received the day after any published changes will be assessed in line with that updated policy.
The scheme may close earlier if all the funding has been used.
We offer a range of advice and support to city residents:
-
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4 Flex) which aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes occupied by low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households.
Preventing fraud
We must make sure that all applications are made legitimately.
If you falsely declare your circumstances, provide a false statement, or provide false evidence in support of your application, you may have committed an offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and financial irregularity. All suspicions of fraud relating to this scheme will be referred to Leicestershire Police.