Decision Maker: Executive Member for Corporate Services
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
To set out, and seek approval for, the
deployment of a fourth Household Support Fund (HSF) allocation (1
April 2023 – 31 March 2024) in order to provide crisis
support to vulnerable households in most need of support, and to
help with significantly rising living costs over the next 12
months. This is further to a report considered on 23 March 2023,
outlining the initial deployment of HSF funds for North Yorkshire
Local Assistance Fund (NYLAF).
• That the County Council will deploy a
fourth Household Support Fund (HSF) allocation (April 2023 –
March 2024) of £7,075,100, in order to provide support to
vulnerable households in need of crisis support, and to help with
significantly rising living costs.
• That in line with Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
guidance for the fourth phase of HSF, the Council will deliver a
programme of targeted and universal support through the following
mechanisms:
- Direct award in the form of a shopping voucher to eligible
households in receipt of Housing Benefit but will not qualify for
Cost-of-Living support, and all households in receipt of maximum
means tested Council Tax support or reduction.
- HSF Exceptional Circumstances Fund for those who have not
benefitted from support due to circumstances beyond their control
and meet the eligibility criteria.
- Energy support
- Grants for food banks and providers of free or low-cost
food.
- Increasing the maximum number of emergency awards available
through North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund.
North Yorkshire’s Delivery Plan will be submitted to DWP on
17 May 2023 to reflect the programme.
• That the Assistant Director for Customer, Reviews and
Benefits will agree the HSF programme schedule including detailed
timescales for operational delivery, in liaison with the Executive
Member for Corporate Services.
Urgency and Call in Exemption granted by the Chair of the Corporate
and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5 May
2023.
DWP requires the submission of an HSF Delivery
Plan by 17 May 2023 to outline the deployment of allocated funds in
North Yorkshire.
Not to utilise the Household Support Fund
allocation – this would have resulted in additional support
not being available to residents of North Yorkshire.
Publication date: 17/05/2023
Date of decision: 16/05/2023
Accompanying Documents: