Other support and resources for HAF
We have collected information to support children and their families over the school holiday period.
Household Support Fund
Do you know someone who may need some short-term financial support to help with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essential items?
The Department for Work and Pensions has provided councils funding to support those in need with rising energy bills and food.
The primary objective behind this scheme is to support families and individuals with fuel and food costs during the cost-of-living crisis.
Vouchers and financial support from the fund can be used to help with food or energy bills and any of the following:
- Support with gas, electricity, and water bills
- Vouchers which can be used for food,
- In some cases, we may be able to support with essential kitchen equipment like cookers or fridges or other necessary essentials such as warm clothing and bedding.
The grant expectation is that it should primarily be used to support households in the most need particularly those including children, pensioners and unpaid carers who would otherwise struggle with energy bills, food, and water bills.
More information and how to apply?
Individuals, working age adults, families (with or without children) and individuals of pensionable age can self-refer. Any referral agency in the voluntary or statutory sector can refer a client in need of financial support, for example, a support worker.
If you know someone who may benefit from some short-term support, please do encourage them to find out further information from our website (below) including eligibility criteria, as well as how they can apply for some support.
Please note – applying for support will not necessarily mean support will be provided. Applications are assessed on an individual basis.
Welfare Fund
The fund provides practical support to eligible adults and families for food, gas/electricity top ups and household items such as furniture including white goods/appliances and furniture. Auriga Services Ltd administers the delivery of the Gloucestershire Welfare Support Scheme.
In April 2020 Gloucestershire County Council approved plans to extend the existing Welfare Support Scheme for a time limited period to provide support to people and families in hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a time-limited extension to the scheme and Gloucestershire County Council will review and adjust the scheme as required depending on how the situation evolves.
Support agencies have told us they are pleased with the scheme to date as it is straight forward to access and provides appropriate support to the right people quickly.
Please find the application here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/gloucestershire-welfare-support-scheme/covid-19-emergency-living-fund/
Contact us
Call: 0330-123-5550
Email: office@gloucWRO.co.uk
Worrying about Money https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/
Advice and support is available if you're struggling to make ends meet.
Stroud and Cotswolds (Includes a link to download a useful leaflet)
Stroud and Cotswold - Worried about Money? (worryingaboutmoney.co.uk)
Check here here to see if there is a specific leaflet for your area via a postcode search.
If no specific leaflet for your area, then check out the link below:
Other areas in Gloucestershire
https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/uk-wide
Turn2us https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.