IN March 2022, Essex County Council (ECC) received £9.437m from the Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund (HSF) and has announced how it will be spent. 

Allocations have been agreed for free school meals during the upcoming holidays, support for essential items, food and utility bills for pensioners and vulnerable families/adults and assistance for food support groups are some of the ways the money will be distributed.  

Allocations include:

• £4.185m for the provision of food vouchers with a value of £15 per child per week, for the 2022 May and summer holidays. This also includes the distribution of the vouchers. Schools and childcare settings, including childminders, will be contacted directly and eligible parents will be notified.
• £3.212m to support households that include a person who has reached state pension age by 30 September 2022 and in receipt of means tested benefit. The council is working with District, Boroughs and City councils to determine timescales for £80 payments to be distributed to those identified as being eligible.
• £1.298m for the Essential Living Fund, a scheme managed on behalf of the County Council by Southend Borough Council that provides general living expenses, furniture, household furnishings, white goods, clothing and other essential goods. 
• £482,000 for support for unpaid carers, vulnerable adults and targeted family support delivered through locally trusted voluntary and community sector organisations and foodbanks to support children and their families. 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance, Cllr Louise McKinlay said: “The last few years have been hard for everyone, and we know that people across the county continue to feel the strain financially as the cost of living continues to rise.

“The Household Support Fund will make sure that those most in need in our county including children and older people receive support.

“I would urge anyone not sure if they are eligible for support to take a look at our website to see what funding is available and how to access help.”

Details on support available to residents can be found here: www.essex.gov.uk/money-debt-and-benefits/money-and-debt 

Residents are also urged to contact the Essential Living Fund if they are struggling financially: www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund

The fund can support with:

• furniture
• household furnishings
• white goods
• clothing and footwear – including School Uniform in exceptional circumstances
• general living expenses – these are day to day living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries and fuel.