West Berkshire Council announces extension of the Department for Work and Pensions' household support fund

West Berkshire Council has announced that the household support fund (HSF) has been extended until the end of September this year.

The fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, supports vulnerable households most in need of help during the current cost of living crisis.

The HSF has currently helped more than 1,400 households in West Berkshire pay for energy bills, food and clothing, and it has also supported 4,000 children by providing free school meal vouchers.

Councillor Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley and Cold Ash), executive member for housing, strategic partnerships and transformation at the council, said: “It is important that we support our most vulnerable households in West Berkshire and I am very pleased that this short term funding has helped to support so many households and children locally."

She also encouraged residents who met the criteria to submit their applications early to ensure they don’t lose out on funding.

Those interested in applying for funding should visit this website https://bit.ly/3l0cQ1d to find out more about the HSF, discover eligibility, and start the application.

Applications are now open, but the funding is limited and it will be made available to assist vulnerable residents, pensioners and children across West Berkshire.

Those having trouble accessing the website should call the council’s customer services team on 01635 551111.