RESIDENTS and families in the Cumberland area that are struggling financially are being encouraged to take advantage of the recently extended Household Support Fund.

Last month the Government announced that a further extension to the Household Support Fund would run from September until March 2025.

It means that residents may be able to get help with essential costs from the fund which could help if they are struggling to afford things like:

  • energy and water bills;
  • food;
  • essential items.

Cumberland Council has been given a total of £2,167,439.16 in Government funding to administer the scheme and councillor Lisa Brown (Currock, Labour), the adults and community health portfolio holder, said it was good news for residents.

She added: "It's really, really good news, because we have been able to really think about how we get money directly to people.

"In this instance we are continuing Ways To Welfare but we are also doing other things like giving money to credit unions to support people, giving more money to Citizens Advice to be able to distribute, and giving some to Cumbria Community Foundation to support the pensioners that can't claim winter fuel allowance."

Cllr Brown said the initiative had been revised and added: "The Government has extended the Household Support Fund for Cumberland residents and given us around £2.1 million to distribute to residents across Cumberland.

"It's a new programme rather than an extension of the last five Household Support Fund schemes, so it has got new grant conditions so it is considered as a new programme for winter to support our residents across Cumberland."

She said that more information was available on the council's website and added: "I am sure the organisations involved will now start advertising ways that people can get support over the winter."

The funding has been given to the following areas within the council:

  • Prevention Service – £517,082.41 to support households with housing costs where existing housing support does not meet this need and to supplement support;
  • School holiday vouchers – £721,819.35 for support with food in line with previous arrangements for those on free school meals;
  • Homelife – £132,696.45 for support with energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials;
  • Care Leavers – £117,469.00 for support with food, energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials;
  • Ways to Welfare – £60,000 for support with food, energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials;
  • Holiday Activity Food Programme – £20,000 for support with food and activities linked to energy and water;
  • Children's Services – £60,000 for support with food, energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials;
  • Administration costs – £108,371.96 which equates to five percent of the total spend.

Funding has been distributed externally to the following organisations:

  • Food Groups across Cumberland – £150,000 for food only;
  • Cumbria Community Foundation – £60,000 towards the Winter Warmth and Warm Spots programmes, for food, energy and water, and essentials linked to energy and water;
  • Cumbria Action for Sustainability – £100,000 towards the Cold to Cosy Programme to support residents with energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water;
  • Credit Unions – £60,000 split evenly between Whitehaven and District Credit Union and Carlisle Credit Union to distribute crisis support energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials linked to encouraging future saving with credit unions.
  • Citizens Advice – £60,000 to be split equally between Citizens Advice Carlisle & Eden and Allerdale Citizens Advice for food, energy and water, essentials linked to energy and water, and wider essentials.

The decision report states: "The funding will be distributed in compliance with the grant conditions and guidance for county councils and unitary authorities in England."

For further information visit the Cumberland Council website and search for Household Support Fund.