Haringey Council offers over £2m to support vulnerable families

Vulnerable households across the borough are set to receive vital support as Haringey Council will distribute over £2million as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) to help families cope with the increasing cost of living.

The council has made it a priority to support those who are most in need and will use the HSF to provide financial support, assistance and helpful tips to residents and communities.

This crucial funding has been split to ensure the council can support as many residents as possible.

Automatic payments will be issued to Haringey households who did not qualify for the £650 Cost of Living Payment, care leavers and many more. These payments can be used to pay for household expenses, such as food, energy bills or clothing. As previously, residents will be able to cash in their vouchers at their local Post Office.

Vouchers will be issued by local schools to Haringey students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) to provide support during school holidays. Over Christmas and the New Year period, carers/parents of eligible children will receive £70 and a further £15 during the half-term holidays in February 2023.

Cllr Seema Chandwani, Cabinet member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services, said: 

“This is just one of a range of measures by the council to support residents through the cost-of-living crisis.

“We know our residents are facing enormous financial pressures, but we hope this further support will help to ease the strain on our most vulnerable households and anyone in financial crisis through these difficult times.

“This latest round of funding could make a significant difference to families and we will do everything in our power to support them through the difficult winter months.”

The funding which has been provided as part of central government’s latest round of Household Support Fund will also be given to a number of voluntary and community organisations in a form of small grants, to support households in need of extra support and/or who may not have been identified.

Those organisations will be required to apply and all applications will be considered and funding will be provided accordingly.

A proportion of the funding will also be paid into Haringey Support Fund, where residents can apply for additional one-off funding if they are facing financial hardship. To find out more and to apply, residents can visit here.

To check what other support is available, please visit the council’s Here to Help website or call the Financial Support Helpline.