Household support

[Charliesangel77]

New on here, just asking if anyone has ever applied for help from the household support fund?and if so how long did the decision take?, applied 2 months ago, 8 emails and a bunch of very personal questions later, still no answer to whether they'll help.

I have not personally applied but as part of my job role I have signposted clients to this fund and I think most of them have had help within a few weeks. They have been given things like food or energy vouchers, i think the most any of them got was £75 Asda voucher and that was a lady who was really destitute had very little Universal credit to live on as she was having to pay a lot of private rent which the UC rent element did not cover.

Thank-you for reply, I've never applied for any help before, I'm still waiting 9 weeks later for a yes or no to help, I just keep getting more emails asking more personal questions, tbh, ill think I'm just going to give up, the questions they expect me to answer are very intrusive and the whole thing is stressing me out.,I'm sure we will get through this bad patch, good luck to anyone else who is brave enough to reach out when in need

What kind of personal questions are they asking?

What are you hoping to get?

Questions regarding my money, what I get and what i spend it on, which I fully understand, but questions about what my daughter contributes, explained she's my full time carer so only gets a pittance, what debts I might have, what I spent my cost of living payment on and if I get another payment, what I plan to spend it on, just quite personal questions,

I asked for some help towards food, as really struggling at the minute, which I understand alot of people are, I think I would have just rather got a yes or no by now, than struggling on and just answering more and more question

But you've fed yourselves for 9 weeks whilst waiting

What about food banks?

Asking about income/outgoings and taking cost of living payments into account sounds reasonable tbh.

www.fairforyou.co.uk/food-club-card might be useful in the meantime if you're really stuck

We used the food bank a few months ago, I think we had our share when there are so many others in need also, yes I've ate for 9 weeks, 1 meal every day.

Do you get all benefits you are entitled to?

Thank-you for the link, hopefully I will here back with an answer sometime soon, Thank-you for taking your time to comment

It's pretty standard for that sort of thing. I've also worked in an environment where I've helped people get crisis loans, grants, etc.

Hi - is it run by your local council? I would get in touch with a councillor and ask them to try to chase up the answer.

You shouldn't be waiting this long for an answer and they should have standard questions.

I'm sorry you are struggling, too many people are.

I've checked the benefits checker, it seems to be correct, yes it's local council, I did expect loads of questions and proof of stuff,I just wasn't expecting it to take so long for an answer, hence my 1st post. I guess its just a waiting game
Thankyou

I got £300 in vouchers twice over. Took about 3 weeks from applying to receiving. Kept us fed for a month. Did have to provide bank statements etc

Wow - you are inhumane in your response. You seem very callous and I hope you never find yourself in OPs position. If you do I hope no one is snarky to you. Your comment upset me.. a stranger .. on how you have tried to belittle a lady asking for advice. You should be ashamed of yourself

OP I apologise for previous posters attitude and I’m sorry that you haven’t had a response from household support yet. It seems you hit rock bottom in having to apply for help and they certainly don’t make it easy for you
Please carry on and never be scared to ask for help - you deserve it. I hope things get better OP x

Contact your local CAB who may be able to help with emergency food help, a benefits check and signposting to any other local charities or organisations that might be able to provide practical help or support

What a shit comment. You should be ashamed of yourself.