Household Support Fund (HSF) - May 2023 to September 2023
What is the Household Support Fund?
Children and Families is supporting the delivery of the HSF on behalf of Swale Borough Council.
Funded by UK Government, the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with the significantly rising living cots.
The HSF can support you with Food, Gas, Electric & Water.
The HSF will run until the end of September 2023 or until the funding allocated is fully used.
Please read below to find out if you are eligible to access the scheme.
Funded by UK Government, the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with the significantly rising living cots.
The HSF can support you with Food, Gas, Electric & Water.
The HSF will run until the end of September 2023 or until the funding allocated is fully used.
Please read below to find out if you are eligible to access the scheme.
Who Can Access The Household Support Fund
The HSF aims to support vulnerable households.
You may be eligible for help with your food and the cost of utilities through the HSF if you meet the below criteria.
If you are are unsure if you meet the criteria please contact our HSF team on 01795 889233 or email hsf@children-families.org and we will discuss your personal circumstances.
You may be eligible for help with your food and the cost of utilities through the HSF if you meet the below criteria.
- Be a Swale Resident
- Be aged 16 or over
- Be at risk because you can't access funds to help you
- Be in arrears with your utility provider.
- Have less than £500 in your bank/savings account.
If you are are unsure if you meet the criteria please contact our HSF team on 01795 889233 or email hsf@children-families.org and we will discuss your personal circumstances.
Food Support
Seashells Children Centre is delivering food support across the Isle of Sheppey via our Family Food Bank Network.
If you are struggling to provide food for your family and/or yourself, then you will be able to access the food element of the HSF.
The food provided is ambient based only. Upon collecting a food box you will be required provide basic details.
To access the service contact Seashells directly or come into the centre:
Address: Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
If you are struggling to provide food for your family and/or yourself, then you will be able to access the food element of the HSF.
The food provided is ambient based only. Upon collecting a food box you will be required provide basic details.
To access the service contact Seashells directly or come into the centre:
Address: Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
Billed Account Customers
This service can provide you with a one-off virtual prepaid card, which is to be used to pay your utility provider only.
You will need an email address to access this service and must be in arrears with your utility provider, and have less than £500 in your bank/savings account. You will need to upload proof of these documents using the form below so we can verify your application.
You can apply once between 1st May 2023 - 30th September 2023.
If funding is continued, you can then apply again from the 1st October 2023 - 31st December 2023 (Trance 2) and then again for a final time from the 1st January 2024 - 31st March 2024 (trance 3). If applying in Trance 2 and/or 3, you will need to evidence you credited your utility account with your other payment, and still be in arrears and have less than £500 in your bank account. Additionally, you must have also engaged in other support services they might be able to assist you.
Children and Families will carry out checks to ensure eligibility to the scheme. If you fail the initial check, Children and Families may require you to provide further documentation, or may refuse access to this service.
Please also note that the virtual card can take up to 5 business days to come through to your email. You will be required to follow the instructions in the email you receive to validate, authenticate and activate your virtual prepaid card before you can use it to pay your utility provider. This prepaid card can only be used to make payment online or over the phone. Please click here to read details on the 'Card Terms'.
To access the service you will need to complete the form below. Once received, one of our advisers will be in touch to discuss your situation further. This service will be managed on a case by case basis.
*This card is issued by GVS Prepaid Ltd, an Electronic Money Institution authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority with Firm Reference number 900230; pursuant to license from Mastercard International. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated*
Please read Children and Families 'Privacy Notice'.
For more information please contact:
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
You will need an email address to access this service and must be in arrears with your utility provider, and have less than £500 in your bank/savings account. You will need to upload proof of these documents using the form below so we can verify your application.
You can apply once between 1st May 2023 - 30th September 2023.
If funding is continued, you can then apply again from the 1st October 2023 - 31st December 2023 (Trance 2) and then again for a final time from the 1st January 2024 - 31st March 2024 (trance 3). If applying in Trance 2 and/or 3, you will need to evidence you credited your utility account with your other payment, and still be in arrears and have less than £500 in your bank account. Additionally, you must have also engaged in other support services they might be able to assist you.
Children and Families will carry out checks to ensure eligibility to the scheme. If you fail the initial check, Children and Families may require you to provide further documentation, or may refuse access to this service.
Please also note that the virtual card can take up to 5 business days to come through to your email. You will be required to follow the instructions in the email you receive to validate, authenticate and activate your virtual prepaid card before you can use it to pay your utility provider. This prepaid card can only be used to make payment online or over the phone. Please click here to read details on the 'Card Terms'.
To access the service you will need to complete the form below. Once received, one of our advisers will be in touch to discuss your situation further. This service will be managed on a case by case basis.
*This card is issued by GVS Prepaid Ltd, an Electronic Money Institution authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority with Firm Reference number 900230; pursuant to license from Mastercard International. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated*
Please read Children and Families 'Privacy Notice'.
For more information please contact:
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
Prepayment Meter Support
This service can provide you with a fuel voucher in partnership with the Fuel Bank. If you are a billed customer please see the section above.
To access the service please visit our Fuel & Water Home Adviser Webpage.
Please note you can only apply once to one of our fuel support schemes. It can also take up to 5 business days to process your request, so please do not send repeated requests.
To access the service please visit our Fuel & Water Home Adviser Webpage.
Please note you can only apply once to one of our fuel support schemes. It can also take up to 5 business days to process your request, so please do not send repeated requests.
Can your utility company help?
Most utility providers can support people who are struggling to pay their bills including Southern Water:Contact your provider to as them about their emergency fund and what support is available.
Service Contact Details
Please get in touch using the details below if you have any questions.
Address: Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
Address: Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW
Tel: 01795 889233
Email: hsf@children-families.org
