Household Support Fund

Support with housing costs

We have received limited funding that can be used to provide short-term support to vulnerable households in the most need, experiencing exceptional financial hardship with essential household costs, such as rent arrears or one-off items, and where existing support, such as discretionary housing payments, do not meet the exceptional need. 

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

• over the age of 18 and be responsible for paying Council Tax 
• a resident of the New Forest district
• in exceptional financial hardship and have insufficient resources to meet your immediate short term needs

What cannot be funded:

• any application made where it is considered that there is not an immediate need for financial support
• applications from those with sufficient income or savings to meet their immediate need
• support with mortgages or personal debts
• help with paying ongoing rent
• help with paying council tax
• repairs or improvements to the home
• general household furniture, such as wardrobes and beds, and clothing

Further support is available from Connect4Communities.

How much can you apply for

The amount of any award will be dependent on your circumstances, and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. However, the fund can only provide short term assistance and priority will be given to those that have not previously received any support through this fund or from other government support schemes.

Applying for Household Support Fund

To apply for the support use our online application form below.  You will be asked to provide information with your application, including recent bank statements for all accounts held.

Apply for Household Support Fund

If you do not provide any information that is requested by the date specified your application will not be considered.

If you have any queries regarding the Household Support Fund please contact a member of the Benefits Team on 01590 646121 between 9.00am and 1.00pm Monday to Friday or email benefits@nfdc.gov.uk 

Food vouchers

Those in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support on 23 December 2024 will receive a food voucher in January 2025. 

The value will be either:

• £40.00 food voucher if in receipt of Housing Benefit only, or
• £20.00 food voucher if in receipt of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support or Council Tax Support only

The vouchers will be sent in late January 2025.

Help with ongoing rent payments

If you are getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and have a shortfall in your rent which is causing you hardship you can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments.

Help with energy bills

People who are experiencing hardship paying their energy bills can contact Citizens Advice New Forest on 0808 278 7860 (10am - 4pm Monday to Friday) or contact them using the Citizens Advice New Forest website for advice and information.