Over 4,000 residents supported by Household Support Fund

Over 4,000 local households have been supported with the Household Support Fund (HSF) in the last week with Bedford Borough Council making over £345,195 of payments to residents. The grants, which are funded by the Department for Work and Pensions but administered by the Council, provide support to some of the UK's most vulnerable households with rising household costs over the winter.

Funding from HSF across Bedford Borough is being used to support school holiday time food shopping vouchers to families with children that qualify for free school meals, as well as offering this £85 winter grant payment to those who receive 100% Council Tax Support and £50 to those who receive lower amounts of Council Tax support.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance said: "As a council we are committed to supporting households who may have difficulty managing food and heating costs due to the Cost of Living crisis. We are aiming to help as many Bedford Borough residents as possible who are the most in need of support at this time. We are making as many payments as possible automatically, but if you are on a low income and haven't claimed before please check the council website for information on how to apply."

"We are delighted that the HSF funding is enabling us to continue contributing to the cost of feeding children who benefit from free school meals during term time over the Christmas holidays. We understand that everyone in Bedford Borough is currently dealing with a very concerning rise in the cost of living."

More information about support for local residents can also be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/costofliving