Lancaster.gov.uk Search the Lancaster City Council website Submit search Accessibility A to Z of Services All Services Home / Sites / Help, advice and support / Household support fund Household support fund The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has given local councils funding to support people who are struggling to afford food, utility bills and other essential items this winter. Eligibility To be eligible for the scheme you must be: Aged 16 years or over A resident of the Lancaster district Experiencing financial hardship and struggling to afford essential items this winter Support available What kind of support is available? The household support fund can help with short-term living costs such as food, help with gas and electric, and water bills as well as help with other essential items and household appliances. Cash will not usually be awarded. If household appliances such as washing machines or fridges are required, these items will be purchased through the scheme and delivery will be arranged directly to your home. There is also be an opportunity within the application process to be referred for budgeting and debt advice. What type of requests will be refused? Any requests for items that are not essential Applications from those with sufficient income or savings Requests for household items where these are the responsibility of the landlord How long will it take for a decision to be made? We aim to make decisions within one week of receiving all the required information. However, depending on demand, this may not always be possible. To speed up the process please ensure you fully complete the application form and provide all supporting documentation at the time of your application. We ask that you do not chase your application until at least 10 working days after this was submitted. Submitting evidence Complete the application at the bottom of this page. We will contact you if further information is required. Please make a note of your reference number as we will ask for this when you are submitting any evidence. Your evidence can be submitted in the following ways: Upload your documents Email them to hsf@lancaster.gov.uk At any of our face-to-face events By post to: Household Support Fund, Lancaster City Council, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ Please also ensure your name and address is provided along with the required documentation. Appeals As this is a discretionary scheme there is no right of appeal. However, if you think we have overlooked important information then you can ask for us to look at the application again by emailing hsf@lancaster.gov.uk This decision is final. Privacy The information that you provide will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Law for the purpose of provision and management of the Household Support Fund. Your personal information, where provided, will be processed under Article 6,1 (e) of the GDPR; processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller. Further information can be found in the Housing Support Fund (PDF) and Lancaster City Council privacy notices. Apply to the household support fund Apply online using the link below. Alternatively call us on 01524 582000 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. We can also help you to apply at any of our mobile events. You will need to provide the following information: Where you live Full household details Your circumstances Your income What support you need Apply to the household support fund Office opening hours Our Customer Service Advisors are available between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and between 10am and 3pm Saturdays and Sundays. Contact us How to contact us Feedback Share Information Contact us Job vacancies A-Z of services Help using this site Terms and conditions Our Venues The Storey The Platform Williamson Park Happy Mount Park Tranquil Spa & Beauty Salt Ayre Leisure Centre Follow Us CMS by web-labs Design by web labs design