Online applications for the Household Support Fund are now open to eligible Tameside residents.

The funding, provided by the government, is available to support eligible low income households who are struggling with essential costs. 

The Household Support Fund will help support households with essential costs such as energy and water, food and other essentials linked to energy and water. Applications can also request sanitary products, warm clothing, blankets and essential household equipment.

Households can also apply for one-off payments in exceptional circumstances when all other avenues of support have been considered and/or exhausted. Requests for wider essentials can be made on a discretionary basis and additional evidence may be requested, this may include support with other bills.

In exceptional cases, a request can be made to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet the exceptional need. This cannot be used to provide mortgage support under the guidance set by DWP.

Using the guidance issued to Tameside Council by the government in April 2022, the scheme is open to Tameside residents in low income households. This is determined through:

• Confirmation from DWP of entitlements to free school meals or free prescriptions.
• Confirmation of receipt of benefits, including income-related benefits, tax credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance & Universal Credit.
• Equivalisation calculation based on income, for in work households where benefits are not claimed

All applications will be assessed for eligibility, and applicants are asked to supply evidence. If evidence requests are not responded to, the application cannot be processed. For more information regarding eligibility or to apply, visit www.tameside.gov.uk./householdsupportfund.  

Councillor Eleanor Wills, Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Well-being, said: ‘’Nobody should go without heat, water or food. With the rising cost of living, The Household Support Fund will ensure low income households can afford the essentials.

"Since the pandemic, many households budgets have been tight and so I urge everyone who is struggling to access this vital support and apply for the scheme.’’

Applications must be made using the online applications form which can accessed via the webpage www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund. If you are unable to complete this form, contact your JCP Work Coach, Tameside Council Customer Services or Citizens Advice Bureau for support.

Customer Services can be contacted by email customer.services@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 8355

Drop-in support will be available from 9am-12.30pm on Level 1 of Tameside One, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 0GS. These sessions will run from Tuesday 12 July and run weekly on Tuesday and Thursdays. Anyone wanting information or help with the application can attend. Those who attend a drop in for support are asked to bring a bank statement from the last three months.

The scheme is a limited, fixed fund available until 30 September 2022, or when funds are exhausted.

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