• 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.