In the Spring Budget on 6 March 2024, the Chancellor announced a 6 month extension to the Household Support Fund. This means that further funding will be available for the period 1 April to 30 September 2024. We are waiting for more detailed guidance from the Government including the amount of funding that will be made available for Cornwall. Once we have more information about the money that will be available and how the Household Support Fund will be distributed, we will add further details to this page.
Cornwall Council has secured a further £9 million pounds from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Known as the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The Fund will mainly be used to provide one-off cash payments to help with the increased cost of living. Payments will be made of:
- £160 to pensioners in receipt of pension credit and adults receiving care in their own homes. 2 payments of £80 will be made with the first payment being made in June 2023. A second payment will be made in November 2023. You do not need to apply.
- £160 per child to families with children eligible for benefits related free school meals in Reception to Year 11. 2 payments of £80 will be made with the first payment being made in June 2023. A second payment will be made in November 2023. Payments will be made direct to families and you do not need to apply. (Please note: These payments are different to our previous food voucher scheme. This provided free school meals over holiday periods. It was a temporary scheme to help during the Covid pandemic.)
- Extra help during school holidays is now available through the Time2Move Holiday Programme. This offers fun physical activities, games and wider activities plus a meal for all children. Places are available free of charge to children receiving benefits-related Free School Meals.
How to apply for help from the fund
The Council and partner organisations will use the remaining money to help support those most in need.
You do not need to apply for the one off cash payments mentioned above.
You can apply for help from the Household Support Fund by contacting one of the following organisations.
Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Inspiring people and communities to age and live well.
To find out more about Age UK Cornwall's range of support and services, please call: 01872 266383 or email: gateway@ageukcornwall.org.uk
Help with heating or other home energy costs. Freephone 0800 954 1956 or email advice@cep.org.uk
A wide range of support including debt and benefit advice. Call the Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm or visit Citizens Advice Cornwall
A wide range of support to people living with a long-term health condition or disability. Call DIAL on 01736 759500 or email advice@dialcornwall.org.uk
A range of high quality support services for unpaid Carers throughout Cornwall.
These services include
- emotional support
- information, advice and guidance
- statutory assessment
- access to grants
- community support
- carer specific training
- dedicated services for Young Adult Carers (16-25 year old Carers) and Young Carers.
Visit the Cornwall Carers website or call 01736 756655.
Accessing other support
A range of support is already available through a number of organisations and schemes. These can be found on our cost of living support webpage.
The Cornwall Worrying About Money? leaflet is a simple resource for people facing financial crisis and those supporting them. It helps to quickly see available advice and support options and which agencies are best placed to help.
Citizens Advice Cornwall can also offer a wide range of support including debt and benefit advice. Call 0800 144 88 48, 10am – 4pm Mon-Fri, or text ADVICE to 78866.
Follow the links below for the information and advice currently available for anyone at risk of, or experiencing financial hardship.
- Cost of living hub
- Crisis and Care awards
- Council tax support
- Discretionary housing payments
- Support for residents struggling with the cost of living
- Transformation Cornwall Grants List
- Help with Food | Let's Talk Cornwall
- Community Energy Plus | Independent Energy Experts
- How to apply – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
Mental Health
People are also reminded that there is a wealth of support available for anyone struggling with their mental health. Please visit our mental health support pages.
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health call the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 24/7 NHS mental health response line on 0800 038 5300. It's free to access by anyone, any age, any time, day or night.
Further reading about the fund
You can read more information about how the decisions were made about the allocations in the Individual Decision report.
