Harrow’s Household Support Fund (HSF) is helping low-income households with the cost of food, utilities and related costs and essential goods.
- Eligible residents can apply for the Application Scheme
- Food support, information and advice is available from Help Harrow
- A number of measures within Harrow’s Household Support Fund to help those in need
The government released a fourth round of funding from April 2023 to March 2024, with the London Borough of Harrow receiving £3million from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Citizens Advice Harrow are managing some of the Fund on our behalf via an application scheme. Supermarket vouchers of £200 for food and essential items will be issued to residents who meet the eligibility criteria.
To qualify for a payment, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Is a Harrow resident
- Has not received a cost-of-living payment from the Government in 2023
- Must be liable for energy/fuel costs for the property in which they live
- Need support with meeting their day to day living expenses including food and utility bills, as evidenced by 3-months of bank statements
- Has not received an award from the Household Support Fund application scheme in the last 6 months
- Is willing to comply with any reasonable conditions concerning the payment award, including for example, receiving support from advice agencies
Applications will close when all the funds have been allocated. Not everyone who applies will receive a payment, but we do our best to support as many people as possible.
To apply for this scheme please call Citizens Advice Harrow on their freephone 0808 250 5705. Phone lines are open Monday to Tuesday 9:30am to 3:30pm and Thursday to Friday 9:30am to 1:00pm, or email:hsf@citizensadviceharrow.org.uk
Harrow’s HSF is also continuing to fund Free School Meals, one of the Council’s flagship actions, during the holidays for 6,600 vulnerable households and providing support to care leavers and some Housing Benefit recipients.
The HSF has extended support to Help Harrow, who provide residents with access to food supplies. They also provide advice and information, on topics such as energy, health, wellbeing and benefits. Help Harrow continue to operate Community Hubs across the borough, also known as Warm Hubs in the colder weather. Many Community Hubs provide hot meals, exercise classes and are friendly places to meet and make friends.
The Conversation Café is also being supported by the HSF, with safe and welcoming drop-in sessions providing advice and support for members of the public and the opportunity for face-to-face conversations with staff from the council and community partners.
Cllr Stephen Greek, Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communications & Customer Experience said:
“We want Harrow to be a place where those in need are supported.”
“The package of measures through the Household Support Fund continues to support families hardest hit by the cost of living crisis. It will also see more money go directly to low income households, including those with care leavers and to residents who miss out on existing Government cost of living support.”
“We encourage anyone in need of cost of living support to look on our website which has comprehensive information, or visit Greenhill Library for in-person assistance.”
For more information on the HSF and the support available visit Household Support Fund.