Household Support Fund for families explained Charities and councils have sounded the alarm over the future of the Household Support Fund, which is due to end next month. The Fund receives money from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and distributes support, including grants and vouchers, via local councils to thousands of households in need. However, the scheme in England is due to come to an end on September 30 with the result most council support schemes will close ahead of the winter.
Charities and councils are urging the government to extend the scheme for at least another six months before introducing a more long-term scheme in its place. READ MORE Lloyds Bank warns Brits to watch out for fake luxury goods website trap Individual households can receive up to £290 to cover the cost of essentials Any decision to close the scheme would effectively mean cutting off an estimated 17.8m people from crisis support.
Some 36 local authorities have already closed their local welfare schemes, which support people with food, fuel and essentials in times of crisis, according to the charity End Furniture Poverty. If the DWP's household..
. Rory Poulter.
