Derby City Council is pleased to announce its acceptance of £3.920 million in funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under Household Support Fund 7 (HSF7). This crucial funding will provide support to vulnerable households struggling with the cost of living from April 2025 to March 2026.

The grant aims to assist households in Derby that are facing financial hardship by addressing essential needs, including food, energy, and housing costs.

Key Support Initiatives Under HSF7 include:

  • Free School Meals Support: Over 16,400 Derby city households with children receiving benefit-related free school meals will be supported with supermarket food vouchers, delivering approximately 1,070,000 meals during school term breaks between April 2025 and March 2026.
  • Food Vouchers: Eligible households in financial crisis can apply for supermarket food vouchers through an online application form. Two rounds of funding will be available. Round 1 will be from May 2025 to September 2025 and Round 2 will be available from October 2025 to March 2026. Only one award will be made per eligible household in each round, with a total allocation of £600,000.
  • Warm Welcome Hubs: Financial support is being provided to over 40 community organisations across Derby to maintain and enhance a cost-of-living support network. These hubs offer warm spaces, hot meals, guidance on reducing energy bills, and help accessing other services. In summer 2024/25, the hubs received over 37,300 visits from adults and more than 4,050 children.
  • Energy Support: Vulnerable households and those in financial crisis can access PayPoint energy vouchers via the Warm Welcome Hubs. The energy scheme will open in September 2025 and run through to March 2026, or until the allocated £195,000 is awarded.
  • Pensioner Support: Up to 2,000 low-income pensioner households not receiving pension credit (and thus missing out on the winter fuel payment) but who do receive Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit will automatically receive a £100 direct payment by February 2026. These households do not need to apply; payments will be sent directly to their bank accounts. Pensioners can also access support at Warm Welcome Hubs.
  • Essential Household Items: Support may include energy-efficient appliances and warm clothing or bedding for eligible households in financial distress.
  • Financial Wellbeing Workshops: Workshops will run to equip Derby residents with money management skills.
  • Leaving Care and Crisis Support: Targeted support will also be delivered for young people leaving care and for households experiencing specific crises.
  • Assistance for families in temporary housing situations.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Communities, said:

I am thrilled that we have managed to secure this funding for Derby. The Household Support Fund continues to be a lifeline for many households in Derby, particularly those experiencing significant financial challenges. This latest round of funding ensures we can continue to provide targeted assistance where it is most needed, helping families and individuals maintain stability.

I strongly encourage anyone who is struggling with the cost of living to take a look at what is on offer and to take full advantage of the resources and support that is available. HSF7 could be what you or your family need to find your way through the rising cost of living."

The impact of previous Household Support Fund initiatives has been widely recognized. A recent Department for Work and Pensions audit highlighted Derby City Council as a model of effective fund management and community support, praising its strategic approach to alleviating poverty and deprivation.

Further details about HSF7, including eligibility criteria and application processes, will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information on the Household Support Fund 7 and how to access support, please visit our Household Support Fund webpage.