Additional funds for households most in need

The London Borough of Bexley is set to distribute funds through local organisations to help support those who need it most.

The funds are part of the latest allocation of the Household Support Fund (HSF) from the Department for Work and Pensions. The Council has been allocated a grant of £1.54m to help local residents until the end of September 2024.

The funds will be distributed by the Council principally through local partner voluntary and community groups.

The money will be used for:

• free school meals in the school holidays via supermarket vouchers for families whose children receive non-universal free school meals. Vouchers are distributed by schools
• domestic abuse services - via SOLACE and Bexley Woman’s Aid
• unpaid carers
• local foodbanks and community pantries/fridges
• community organisations that specialise in the provision of white goods and furniture
• local organisations that support with debt and financial advice
• support for housing costs
• help for carers and care leavers

Local organisations working with us to distribute this funding include:

• Love Bexley
• St Lawrence Trust
• Slade Green Foodbank
• Bexley Foodbank
• Carers Support (Bexley)
• Citizens Advice Debt Advice
• Local Community Fridges and Pantries:
  • Mind in Bexley
  • Blackfen Community Library
  • Salvation Army Welling
  • Bostall Library Community Group
• Central Eltham Youth Project
• Irish Community Services
• Redeemed Christian Church of God
• St Johns Church Sidcup
• Age UK Bexley
• Bexley Mencap
• Bexley Council Housing Services:
  • Cost of living support funding

More information and advice for anyone struggling is available on Help with the cost of living.

The funding is an extension of the Household Support Fund and has been allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions to councils in England, who will then use it to support those in need in their local area. Councils can decide how best to use the funding to support people in their local area quickly and efficiently.

The Household Support Fund is not a benefits entitlement. All residents are able to approach the distributing organisation to apply for support based on their individual cost of living circumstances. Decisions are taken on an individual basis.

All residents should be aware that this additional funding is due to end on 30 September 2024.

Find out more about the Household Support Fund on GOV.UK.