Household Support Fund 2024/25
Enfield Council has been allocated £2,847,994.64 to support vulnerable households facing a rise in energy bills and the cost of living. The funding is from 1 April 2024 and must be spent by 30 September 2024.
The fifth phase of Household Support Fund payments should be used to support households most in need. The fund can also be used to support households with the cost of food and water bills, essential costs related to energy, food and water, and with other wider essential costs. The fund can additionally be used to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this need.
Please also see Enfield’s Cost of living support information, which includes local support available.
Extra local welfare assistance - application-based support
Extra local welfare assistance funding has been made available for households who are facing financial hardship. You will need to apply for this help.
Funding for this scheme is limited, so there will be only one award per eligible household. Awards will go to those who meet the eligibility criteria on a first come, first served basis.
Apply for the Household Support Fund (PDF, 438.58 KB)
Please email your completed application and supporting evidence to hsfapplications@enfield.gov.uk.
We may close the application-based support periodically depending on the number of applications received for any given period. We will update this page to inform you when the application window opens and closes.
Enfield Council households are eligible to apply if they have:
- an annual household net income of less than £40,000
- savings of less than £1,000
Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Child Benefit.
Residents with no recourse to public funds are eligible to apply too.
We may be able to help with:
- food (this may be through food bank and pantry referrals)
- energy bills and water bills/top-ups
- support with housing costs, but not mortgage payments
- wider essentials, such as broadband, phone bills, clothing or essential transport related costs
- white goods, such as a fridge/freezer, washing machine or cooker. White goods will be sourced from a suitable provider. We will not be able to provide a cash payment.
For us to be able to consider your application you MUST tell us in detail about:
- the hardship you are experiencing
- why you are not able to meet your expenses
If you do not provide a reason, your application will be rejected. Any cash award is limited to £250.
You will need to send us proof of income for all household members and a copy of your most recent bank statement and utility bill if requiring help with energy or water bills.
We will use the information you provide to assess your application and offer advice and assistance to maximise your income and reduce your outgoings.
Targeted support
Households within the following categories will get help without the need for an application form:
- Additional funding has been set aside to help with housing costs. Please see our statutory and discretionary Help with housing costs page for more information. If support can’t be provided for housing costs here, help via the Household Support Fund may be considered.
- Funding has been set aside to help residents in temporary accommodation with relocation, securing properties and additional support
- Funding has been set aside to help residents in receipt of Council Tax support with disabilities or caring responsibilities who were in receipt of support in 2023/24
Frequently asked questions
When and how will I receive my payment if I have met the agreed criteria to receive a payment?
If you apply for support through our application form, for help with energy, water and wider essentials, we will credit your nominated bank account. Please allow up to 10 days from the date your application is approved.
If you are eligible for help with white goods, we will source these from a suitable provider who will contact you and arrange for the goods to be installed.
Can I get supermarket vouchers?
No, we are unable to offer supermarket vouchers.
My friend got it, will I?
Providing your household meets the criteria, yes. However, households may appear to have the same circumstances but income, household make up, rent and Council Tax all make a difference to who does and doesn’t meet the criteria.
I do not meet the criteria but need help with food, what support is available?
Many voluntary and community organisations are offering help with food for Enfield’s diverse community. If you need urgent food supplies and can’t afford them, you can ask your local food bank for emergency food or support. You can also visit Enfield Food Alliance for information about local organisations providing food support to residents. You could also try the OLIO food sharing app, a free app allowing neighbours to offer unwanted food to each other. Everything shared on OLIO is free.
I do not meet the criteria but need other help, what other support is available?
If you need further support, see our cost of living support pages or the government’s cost of living support hub.