Round 4 of the Household Support Fund has now closed

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) has now closed for applications for low-income households in the Dorset Council area.

The government scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provided support in the form of supermarket vouchers. The HSF scheme for round 4 ran from April 2023 to March 2024. Through the government funding and an additional £350,000 from council reserves, Citizen’s Advice issued over 12,000 vouchers worth more than £1.8 million on our behalf throughout the year to Dorset Council residents.

As well as supermarket vouchers, HSF has also funded a holiday voucher scheme, which has seen 11,500 Free School Meal or Early Years Pupil Premium eligible children receive vouchers for food during the school holidays, totalling over £2m this year.

Schools and Early Years settings will be issuing £30 Easter holiday vouchers to eligible families on or before 28 March. Parents do not need to apply as schools and Early Years settings will issue vouchers for eligible children automatically. 

A further £600,000 has been distributed via discretionary grants, including to Age UK and Citizens Advice, who have supported hundreds of households with the rising cost of living. Within the council, our Carer Support team, Children’s Services Locality and Care Leaver teams, and housing team have made sure targeted support has reached residents most in need over the year.

Grants were also awarded to 25 food banks and affordable food projects across the county.

We await further information from government on Dorset’s funding beyond 1 April 2024.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said:

“With this funding, we’ve been able to help thousands of households across the Dorset Council area with access to support over the last 3 years.

“We know many households are still struggling with the cost of living challenges and there is still information and support available, whether be access to food, money and debt advice or support with your household bills.”

To find out more visit our cost of living webpages at Cost of living help - Dorset Council