Fund supporting people facing hardship to continue

Article date: March 21st 2025

St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet has approved plans to see Household Support Fund (HSF) continue for another year. The HSF was introduced by the government in October 2021 to provide direct help to residents who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living costs.

Since its inception more than £6.7 million has been used on a variety of areas to support reside across the borough such as:

·       Crisis applications

·       Furniture support

·       Housing support

·       Free school meal holiday payments

·       Free fruit in primary schools

·       Energy support for low-income households for people with severe medical conditions

·       Direct support for low-income households who do not meet criteria for other government funds

·       Funding for voluntary sector groups which has supported the likes of food banks and pantries

·       Financial advice

Ruth du Plessis, Director of Public Health at St Helens Borough Council, said: "The Household Support Fund has provided a vital safety net to households who find themselves in need due to an unexpected events or short-term changes to the income. The fund means we can also continue to help community groups provide the likes of food pantries and focus on supporting people to live healthy lives with school holiday food vouchers and energy support for people with severe medical conditions.

"We've seen more than 2,000 applications a year alone for support and with the fund continuing it means that those in need of support and advice will still be helped in their time of need.

Learn more about the support available by visiting: Household support fund - St Helens Borough Council