The Household
Support Fund (HSF), first introduced in 2021/22, is being extended
by the Government through 2023/24. Additional funding (the
“Extended 2023/24 HSF Funding”) has been made available
to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support
those most in need to help with global inflationary challenges and
the significantly rising cost of living. The Extended 2023/24 HSF
Funding is intended for use in the period 1st
April 2023 to 31st March 2024 inclusive.
The Extended 2023/24 HSF Funding is being provided for the purpose
of supporting households that are in the most need –
particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support
that government has recently made available, including the
Cost-of-Living Payments set out in government guidance (a copy of
which is provided in the Background Documents) on 26th May 2022 and
17th November 2022 and the energy support set out set out in
government guidance (a copy of which is also provided in the
Background Documents) on 3rd February.
The purpose of this report is to seek the Cabinet’s approval
for the recommendations in relation to the distribution of the
Extended 2023/24 HSF Funding (amounting to £7,384,966) that
is being provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for
allocation in the period 1st
April 2023 to 31st March 2024.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000 and 2 Divisions affected;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/02/2023
Decision due: 29 Mar 2023 by Cabinet
Lead member: Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s SafeGuarding and Early Years
Contact: Chris Spencer, Director of Children's Services Email: chris.spencer@gloucestershire.gov.uk.