FOI request (FOIR-479044210)

Household Support Fund

Requested Tue 17 January 2023
Responded Tue 31 January 2023

I would be grateful if you could please provide the following information, with regards to the Household Support Fund (Tranche: 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023).

1. The total spend of the Household Support Fund as of 31st December 2022, as per the interim Management Information report.

2. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person as of 31st December 2022 as per the interim Management Information report.

3. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person that has gone directly to these households in the form of vouchers, item purchases or bank transfer (that is, not provided to third parties to deliver services to support this group).

4. For Tranche 1, has the local authority set an allocated expenditure for households with a disabled person and if so, what is the total figure for the expenditure?

5. What data is being used to identify households with disabled people who may benefit from the scheme (for example, in receipt of disability benefits, being provided with a care package by your local authority)?

6. What is the eligibility criteria for households with disabled people to be able to avail of support through the Household Support Fund?

7. What formats and communication channels (for example, easy-read, audio) are being provided to ensure information about the Household Support Fund and the application process is accessible for disabled people?

Response

1. £148,750

2. £45,500

3. £45,500

4. No

5. Households with a disabled person are identified by a household member being in receipt of either Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

6. There are no specific eligibility criteria for disabled people. Details of the council's Household Support Fund eligibility criteria are available on our dedicated webpage:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/benefits/hsfund/

7. Every household identified as potentially eligible to the scheme has been written to and invited to apply to the fund. Potential applicants are advised to apply online where possible. The letter included a paper application and returns envelope for those households unable to apply online.

Further help is available via the council's contact centre, which can contacted by email and telephone or visited in person.