I am writing to provide details of how ECC will be allocating its £9.4m Household Support Fund, as referenced at Full Council yesterday.  

The scheme, introduced under the previous government, is designed to support vulnerable families and we are replicating much that we have done previously, whilst also recognising the important need to support pensioners, following the government’s decision to remove Winter Fuel Allowance to over 300,000 pensioners in Essex. 

Funding will be available through different access points, including the Essential Living Fund, food support groups, community supermarkets and local voluntary and community sector organisations, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

As well as specific support for pensioners, funding for families in receipt of free school meals will continue, as will targeted support for young carers and care leavers. 

As part of the £9.4 million package, we are focusing on key areas of support. These include:

• £1 million targeted to support low-income pensioners with core costs over the winter month via the Essential Living Fund
• £4.5 million for the Essential Living Fund to help with emergency crisis situations
• £2.8 million for winter vouchers for families in receipt of free school meals
• £100,000 for voluntary and community groups
• £250,000 for food support groups
• £150,000 for Citizens Advice Bureaus to provide additional support and advice
• £80,000 for Community Supermarkets
• £37,500 for young carers in Essex
• £42,500 for care leavers’ winter hampers and vouchers
• £10,000 to support winter warmth schemes working in collaboration with Essex Libraries
• £40,000 for marketing and communications to signpost residents to available support

More information on help with the cost of living is available at https://www.essex.gov.uk/help-cost-living.

Residents are also urged to contact the Essential Living Fund if they are struggling financially,. They can do this by visiting www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund.

As a reminder, the fund can support with:

• furniture
• household furnishings
• white goods
• general living expenses - these are day to day living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries and fuel

We are aware that some Districts/Boroughs in Essex are also offering their own additional support for fuel expenses this Winter, through their own schemes.

Please do use this information to signpost residents, in need of help and support.

Kind regards

Louise

Councillor Louise McKinlay BA (Hons) MSc, Prince II Certified Practitioner

Deputy Leader of Essex County Council

Cabinet Member for Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity

County Councillor for Brentwood Hutton Division