Household support fund

UK government has provided funding support residents in financial need.  The Household Support Fund will provide help to residents who are struggling to afford energy, food, water and other essential bills.

It will provide an application process for low-income households who:

• require urgent help with fuel or food  or other living expense, including utility arrears
• need help towards the cost of buying or replacing  furniture or white goods

In addition, the scheme will provide direct awards to:

• families in receipt of means-tested free school meals during  school holiday periods including qualifying children in nursery provision
• to low-income households which are unable to afford to adequately heat or power their properties and who have medical conditions that may further exacerbate the situation, e.g. residents with serious respiratory conditions or who are permanently running medical equipment
• other low-income households which are ineligible to receive other cost-of-living support
• care leavers and other vulnerable groups

Apply for help

• Apply for help towards fuel, food, living expenses and arrears 
• Apply for help towards the cost of buying or replacing furniture and white goods

Direct Awards

The following households will receive direct support and do not need to apply for help.

Children eligible to receive free school meals:

• A £45 supermarket voucher will be issued for each qualifying child who attended a school or nursery provision within St Helens in December 2024 and March 2025 prior to the end of term.  To qualify, a child must be eligible to receive means-tested free school meals or be transitionally protected.
• The voucher will be issued directly by your child's school or nursery provider prior to the end of term.  If you do not receive a voucher, please contact your child's school or nursery provider in the first instance.
• Please complete a payment enquiry form if your child attends an out of borough school, is eligible for free school meals and you have not received a payment via the school or local authority.  Please include your child's name and the school they attend.

Pension-age households:

• A direct payment of £200 (£300 if a person is 80 years or over) will be made to pension age households who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and / or Council Tax Reduction who are not in receipt of Pension Credit and are therefore ineligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.  Eligible households will receive a voucher during late December 2024 or January 2025 which can be cashed at any branch of the Post Office. 

"Warm Homes for Lungs" and "Warm Homes for Young Lungs" projects:

• We are participating in two project to provide financial support to residents who are unable to afford to adequately heat their properties and who have acute respiratory conditions. 
• Patients will be identified by NHS practitioners who will offer a range of support.  This includes a home visit from our Affordable Warmth team.  A financial payment will be made following this visit. 

Care Leavers:

• A direct payment will be made periodically to eligible care leavers where St Helens is the corporate parent.  Payments will be distributed via your personal advisor.  You do not need to apply for this payment.

Payment enquiry form

If you have been advised you will receive a direct payment, but are yet to receive it, or have received one which you need to query, please complete our payment enquiry form.  Do not complete this form if you are seeking immediate help.