A £1.8 million fund is set to support people in Calderdale who are struggling with money.
As part of the ongoing cost of living help available across the borough, Calderdale Council is distributing its £1.8 million share of the Government’s Household Support Fund.
The Fund provides crisis support to a wide range of low-income households in need.
The payments are to help with essential household expenses such as food, heating, electricity, water and bills for other essentials like clothes, transport and broadband.
The Council is making payments directly to nearly 16,000 families that will no longer receive the Government’s Cost of Living Payment, and to care leavers. Eligible households will be contacted about their direct payments by Monday 3 June.
The remainder of the Fund is being used for:
- A grant application process managed for the Council by the Community Foundation for Calderdale. Voluntary and community organisations can apply for money to support people in need with food, energy, essentials and advice. For more information and to apply, please visit https://cffc.co.uk/household-support-fund-2/(external link) The deadline for applications is 10am on Thursday 23 May 2024.
- A Discretionary Hardship Grant that households facing financial hardship can apply for from Monday 3 June. More information will be available at https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/benefits/hsf
- Continuing the additional services of the Council’s Early Advice Support Team for a further six months, to help vulnerable people access services and support to build resilience.
- Increasing the Welfare Assistance Fund to provide ongoing emergency support with essential home appliances such as fridges, ovens and washing machines.
The launch of the Household Support Fund in Calderdale comes after the local Anti-Poverty Partnership held a major event on Wednesday 8 May, focusing on the impact of poverty on babies, children, young people and families.
Attendees at the Todmorden Town Hall event were from a wide range of organisations and sectors, all working to tackle child poverty in Calderdale. They met with young people, took part in a panel discussion and watched a film highlighting young people’s experiences, learning more about young people’s views of financial education and the cost of living crisis.
Resources were promoted to help organisations support people living in poverty, including a cost of living factsheet, a toolkit exploring the links between poverty and neglect, and a new financial education guide.
Cllr Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“Times remain tough for many local people, who are often struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living increases.
“We care about our communities and have a priority to reduce inequalities. Through the newly launched Household Support Fund, we are adding to the wide-ranging support available across Calderdale, helping to keep residents well and stop them reaching crisis point.
“The Anti-Poverty Partnership event highlighted the scale of the problem, but also the kindness of our communities to work together to help people out of hardship.”
Steve Duncan, CEO of the Community Foundation for Calderdale, added:
“We are proud to be partnering with Calderdale Council on another fund where we manage the grant application process. This fund will make a significant difference to people in Calderdale facing hardship. As an organisation, we are committed to working with partners to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of people in Calderdale.”
More information:
Household Support Fund: https://cffc.co.uk/household-support-fund-2(external link)
Help and support with money: https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/benefits/money
Calderdale’s work to tackle poverty supports the Vision 2024 for Calderdale to be a place where everyone can live a larger life.
Calderdale reached its 50th anniversary on 1 April 2024. This is the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Find out more about it here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
As 2024 closes, the transition to the new Vision 2034 for Calderdale will begin, encouraging local communities to be bold and ambitious about what we can do next to make Calderdale a better place for all.