Harrow’s Household Support Fund (HSF) is actively reaching out to low-income households, offering essential aid for food, utilities, and related costs, ensuring residents can meet their day-to-day living expenses.
Through the HSF Application Scheme, eligible Harrow residents can access support vital to their well-being.
Citizens Advice Harrow is overseeing part of the fund on behalf of Harrow Council, managing applications for supermarket vouchers worth £200, redeemable for food and essential items.
To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being a Harrow resident, having not received a government cost-of-living payment in 2023, and needing assistance with utility bills and daily living expenses.
The application process requires proof of financial need, demonstrated by three months of bank statements.
Individuals who haven’t received support from the Household Support Fund application scheme in the last six months are eligible to apply.
Although not all applicants will receive assistance due to limited funding, efforts are made to support as many residents as possible.
Applications will remain open until all funds are allocated. Interested individuals can apply by contacting Citizens Advice Harrow via phone at 0808 250 5705 (Monday to Tuesday: 9:30am – 3:30pm, Thursday to Friday: 9:30am – 1:00pm) or by email at hsf@citizensadviceharrow.org.uk.
In addition to financial aid, HSF continues to fund Free School Meals during holidays for 6,600 vulnerable households.
The fund also supports care leavers and certain Housing Benefit recipients, ensuring no one is left without support during challenging times.
The Conversation Café is also being supported by the HSF, with safe and welcoming drop-in sessions providing advice and support for members of the public and the opportunity for face-to-face conversations with staff from the council and community partners.
Cllr Stephen Greek, Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communications & Customer Experience at Harrow Council said: “We want Harrow to be a place where those in need are supported.”
“The package of measures through the Household Support Fund continues to support families hardest hit by the cost of living crisis. It will also see more money go directly to low income households, including those with care leavers and to residents who miss out on existing Government cost of living support.”
“We encourage anyone in need of cost of living support to look on our website which has comprehensive information, or visit Greenhill Library for in-person assistance.”
