The Household Support Fund (HSF) is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The government released a fourth round of funding from April 2023.
If you are not a Dorset Council resident, contact your local council for details of their scheme.
Applications to the Fund
Citizens Advice in Dorset are managing some of the Fund on our behalf via a voucher scheme. Supermarket vouchers of £150 will be issued to residents who meet the eligibility criteria within 6 to 8 weeks of their application date. Applications are limited to one per household.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by Citizens Advice.
Eligibility
Dorset Council households are eligible to apply if they have:
- an annual household net income of less than £30,000 and
- savings of less than £16,000 and
- not applied for a previous HSF payment within the last 6 months
Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Child Benefit.
When to apply
Round 4 will open for applications at 10am on the following dates:
- Thursday 7 September 2023
- Thursday 5 October 2023
- Thursday 2 November 2023
- Tuesday 5 December 2023
- Wednesday 3 January 2024
- Tuesday 6 February 2024
- Tuesday 5 March 2024
Funds are limited for each application window and the form will close when they have been allocated.
If you need help completing the form, you can call or visit a customer access point.
School holiday vouchers
The Household Support Fund will also continue to fund Free School Meal (FSM) holiday vouchers until the end of March 2024. This will cover the October half term, Christmas, February half term, and Easter holidays.
Parents do not need to apply, schools and Early Years settings will issue vouchers for eligible children automatically.
If you aren’t sure check if your children are eligible and find out more.
If your child attends an Early Years setting and is eligible, your setting will contact you and ask for your permission to apply on your behalf.
Your child’s school or setting may also be able to recommend you for a discretionary holiday voucher if you are in significant financial hardship including a drop in household income or loss of a job.
Get support and advice
Find out about other support on our Cost of living help pages including:
- money, debts, and benefits
- access to food
- housing
- support for children
- energy, water, phone, and broadband cost
Find out more information about the Governments cost of living support.