Enfield Council has been allocated £5,695,989 from the Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households facing a rise in energy bills and the cost of living. The funding is from 1 April 2023 and must be spent by 31 March 2024.
The government has announced the fourth phase of Household Support Fund payments should be used to support households most in need - particularly those that are not eligible for other government support, such as the Cost of Living Payments. 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 also be used to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this need.
For more information on other cost of living support available, or if you do not meet the eligibility criteria below, visit GOV.UK - Cost of living support. Please also see our cost of living support pages, which includes information on local support available.
Support for children at school in Enfield
During May, October and February half term holidays, organised activities will take place in a welcoming space, and this will also include the provision of food.
In the summer and December school holidays, children receiving free school meals, or those who have been identified by an Enfield school, will receive a £40 food voucher in the summer and a £55 voucher in December. These will be arranged and issued via the school. A child’s school can be contacted if any support is needed with the voucher, or it is believed that one should have been received.
Funding has also been made available to Enfield schools to support with the cost of clothing essentials, such as winter coats, school shoes and uniform.
Funding from the grant has also been made available to support schools run food banks.
Targeted support
Households within the following categories will get help without the need for an application form:
- £250 vouchers are being issued for those in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax but not eligible for the £900 DWP administered cost of living payment. Eligible residents will receive their payment in August 2023 or December 2023.
- The community hubs will have food pantries for 4 days a week in Edmonton Green and Enfield Town libraries, and deliver free weekly tea and toast breakfast sessions. You will require a referral for the food pantries, but not for tea and toast breakfast sessions to access this support. For more information, see our help with food page.
- Funding has been allocated to the welfare advice and debt support team, children’s services, mental health enablement, adult social care, housing floating support, SOLACE, North Enfield foodbank, Carers Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau to help with food, fuel, resettlement and wider essentials
- Extra funding has been set aside to help with housing costs. See our statutory and discretionary help with housing costs page for more information. If support cannot 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 also been set aside to help the most vulnerable children, young people and families in the borough who are in receipt of support from Children and Family Services. The funding will be targeted to those who have been assessed as needing help with energy, food, housing, and wider essentials.
Frequently asked questions
When and how will I receive my payment if I have met the agreed criteria to receive a payment?
We will be targeting those in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support who may not be eligible for the £900 Cost of Living Support Payment. Letters are being sent, and everyone should hear by the end of August. Payment can be collected from the post office after you receive your letter.
If you apply for support through our application form, for help with energy, water and wider essentials we will send you a letter with a voucher that can be collected from the post office. 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.
What ID can I use when I redeem my Post Office voucher?
You can use a Freedom Pass, bank card, driving licence or passport.
My letter got damaged - can I still get the money?
Assuming you still have parts of the letter, we may be able to provide the voucher barcode number. We would then advise you to take the parts of the letter to your local Post Office.
Can someone else redeem the Post Office voucher?
Yes, but they will need to bring your ID and their own ID.
What about families with school aged children?
Families with school aged children may also be offered support through their school. You should contact your child’s school.
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 does not 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 cannot afford them, you can ask your local food bank for emergency food or support. 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. You can also apply for help with food using the household support fund application form above.