Blackburn with Darwen Council's public health boss has given details of how the authority will distribute its latest £1.6 million allocation from the Household Support Fund to hard-up residents.

They are set out on a report by Cllr Damian Talbot to the authority's executive board meeting on Thursday.

It says "In September 2024, the government announced it would be extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a fifth time, making this the latest extension, known as round six.

"The announcement was for a six-month support package, running until March 2025, to the same level as previous rounds. For Blackburn with Darwen, this is a further £1.619m.

"The council has successfully delivered the HSF since October 2021 in partnership with a range of voluntary, community and faith sector organisations.

"The original objective of the fund was to provide support to vulnerable households in most need of support over the winter period.

"As the economy recovers, it has been recognised that further support is required to support communities as the cost-of-living crisis begins to impact further beyond recovery from the pandemic.

"It has been widely accepted that the HSF should consider those who may be impacted by the withdrawal of the Winter Support Payment for residents of pensionable age.

"The council has a demonstrable track record of developing and implementing welfare support schemes and the delivery of the previous five rounds of Household Support is an illustration of this.

"Households have been supported through a range of measures including, for example, support with bills, including council tax, provision of food and debt and welfare support as part of a wraparound service, advice, and guidance.

"The council has also successfully fully allocated all funds available from the five previous rounds.

"It will continue to focus on the most acute pressures faced by residents over the next six months."

Cllr Talbot said it is proposed to use the fund to support people in the following areas:

  • utility bills;
  • winter fuel payment;
  • crisis food;
  • emergency white goods;
  • support and advice services;
  • support for subsidised school meals – enabling schools to support low income/vulnerable families who do not qualify for free school meals;
  • council tax support, in the form of a credit in lieu of supporting other cost of living pressures;
  • support for the Food Alliance sustainable food hub model;
  • miscellaneous smaller grants to third-sector partners.

He added: "The delivery of round six will continue alongside other support including developing employability skills, debt, benefit and housing advice and mental health and wellbeing advice."