Household Support Fund April 2023 - March 2024

The Government has made more money available to local councils to provide further funding for households who might be struggling most with the increase in the cost of living.

This funding is being made available in two periods; April to September 2023 and October 2023 to March 2024.

The information contained on this page refers to April to September 2023.

The funding provided to North Devon Council will be used in two different ways;

Direct Award

All working age households, who receive an element of council tax reduction as at 17 April 2023, will receive a voucher for £45 via the Post Office Payout Scheme, which can be exchanged for cash at any Post Office within the district. These letters will be issued during May and June 2023 by the Post Office and customers will have six weeks from the date of the letter to redeem the voucher.

Application

An application scheme will allow agreed third-party organisations to apply for funds on behalf of their clients. The amount awarded will depend on the applicant’s circumstances and level of assistance needed.

A full list of third-party organisations who are signed up to this scheme are below and applications will only be accepted from one of these.

Only one application per household will be considered for the period April to September 2023 and priority will be given to those households on low income who do not qualify for the cost of living payments.

FAQ’s – Direct Award

Who is eligible for assistance from the Household Support Fund April to September 2023 Direct Award?

All working age households within North Devon District’s area who receive an element of council tax support / reduction. This is a means tested benefit.

My household is working age and we receive council tax reduction, why haven’t I received my Post Office voucher yet?

To avoid large queues at the Post Office, vouchers are being issued in two batches. All vouchers will be issued by the end of June 2023. These vouchers will be issued automatically, and no application is needed.

How long do I have to redeem my voucher?

You have six weeks to redeem your voucher. If not redeemed in time the voucher will be cancelled.

Who can redeem the voucher?

Anyone named on the letter can claim the payment providing they have consent from all members of the household.

Where can I redeem the voucher?

The letter has a barcode you can use to pick up your cash payment from any Post Office branch. It doesn’t have to be the one nearest to you.

I cannot get to a Post Office to cash my voucher?

You can nominate someone to collect the payment on your behalf. The nominated person must take the voucher, your ID and a signed letter giving your authority to pay the nominated person, to the Post Office. The nominated person should also take a form of ID.

FAQS - Application

How do I make an application?

Applications can be made on your behalf by the third-party referral agencies listed below.

Why can’t I apply myself?

This financial support is a one-off payment and by engaging with one of the third parties you will continue to receive ongoing support / advice.

How much will I receive?

This will depend on your circumstances and level of assistance needed.

How will I receive the payment?

The payment will be made in different ways depending on your circumstances;

• via Post Office vouchers, which can be exchanged for cash in any post office in the district
• via supermarket vouchers which can be redeemed at all major supermarkets
• we are also able to issue white goods vouchers for help with the purchase of household appliances

Why can my household only make one application?

There is limited funding and we want to ensure we can offer assistance to as many households as possible.

Third-party Referral Agencies

361 Energy
Age UK Devon
Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network
Belle's Place
Brannam Medical Centre
Christians Against Poverty
Citizens Advice Bureau
Combe Coastal Practice
Devon Carers
Devon Partnership Trust
Early Nourishment
Encompass
Fear Less
The Freedom Centre
Fremington Medical Centre
Haven, The Baptist Church
Live Well Braunton
Litchdon Medical Centre
Lynton Health Centre
Navigate
NHS (non-GPs)
Queens Medical Centre
Salvation Army
Skate Molton
South Molton Medical Centre

Citizen’s Advice Devon are working with Devon County Council to manage an Energy Relief Scheme for people using pre-payment meters and who are struggling to meet their energy needs. For more information, please view the Citizen's Advice Energy Advice page.

You can find details on our cost of living web pages of support and advice towards the rising cost of living, from us and other organisations.

Devon County Council are also running additional initiatives to help with the cost of living.

Details for the Household Fund to cover the period of October 2023 to March 2024 will be added to this page in September 2023.

For further support, visit the Government's dedicated cost of living page.