The Household Support Fund can provide help to low-income households experiencing financial hardship.
Funding has been agreed to 30 September 2024 and is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Support
Food vouchers
Children and young people eligable for free school meals can get £15 for the May half-term and £60 for the summer holiday.
Everyone who is eligible for a voucher, or payment will receive them automatically, there is no need to apply.
Fuel vouchers
The Household Support Fund also provides fuel vouchers for those in emergency need.
Contact our Warm Homes Team to apply for this help:
- Help to heat your home
- Freephone: 0800 019 1084
- Email: warmhomes@oldham.gov.uk
Essential items and additional help
We are working with Action Together and other voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise partners to provide support to individuals and households in Oldham who are at risk due to the adverse impact of the cost-of-living crisis, including:
- Older adults
- Communities who experience racial inequalities
- People experiencing multiple disadvantage
- People with no recourse to public funds
- People with disabilities and learning disabilities
- Low-income households
To provide support with the following:
- Emergency food, toiletries, and baby items
- Emergency energy or water bills
- School uniforms, warm clothing, and shoes
- Household furniture, white goods, and essentials items (e.g. bedding)
- Emergency non-energy related household bills (e.g. phone credit/data etc)
- Transport costs (e.g. bus passes to attend medical or public service appointments)
Other support
The funding will also be used to provide:
- Additional support for the Holiday Activity Fund
- Additional support for the Local Welfare Provision Scheme
- Housing and Homelessness support
- Foodbank support
- Other crisis support vouchers for food and essential supplies
We can help
This is a tough time for many in Oldham.
The rising cost of basic goods, including food and bills, aren't problems you have to face alone.
Oldham partners are working together to offer residents and families a little more help.
If you need help, contact our Helpline on 0161 770 7007 (9am – 5pm on weekdays).