Eligible Kent residents will receive a one-off £100 prepaid card* which can be used towards their home energy costs, known as the Winter Energy Support scheme.
Applications are open now until 29 February 2024 - or when this budget pot has been distributed. It is on a first come, first served basis and is one award per qualifying household.
It will be issued in the form of a virtual or physical prepaid card loaded with the £100, usually delivered within 10 working days following successful completion of an application. It can then be used against gas, electricity, and water bills with all utility suppliers.
The Winter Energy Support scheme is for people who are impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. You can refer yourself or professionals from partner organisations can do it on your behalf.
Families who receive free school meals and received a £100 energy voucher per eligible child via their school in November, will not be eligible for this scheme.
To find out more, including the eligibility criteria, visit the website:
Household Support Fund - Kent County Council
It comes as KCC Leader Roger Gough has countersigned a letter drafted by the Local Government Association to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging central government not to make this the last round of the Household Support Fund.
It reads: “The Government’s provision of the Household Support Fund has been extremely welcome and continues to provide a vital safety net for residents who are struggling to afford the essentials and are facing financial crisis.
“Local services are experiencing record demand for local welfare support.
We are therefore deeply concerned that ending the fund on the 31 March 2024 will create a cliff-edge in provision for our communities that councils will not be able to fill.
“A significantly reduced local welfare support offer risks more households falling through the gaps into financial crisis, destitution and homelessness and increasing pressure on already overstretched public services, including the NHS, social care and temporary accommodation.
In the long term, councils and our partners in the voluntary and community sector want to shift the focus from crisis support to prevention. However, in the short-term, the need for an enhanced local welfare offer is not reducing.
“We would therefore welcome urgent confirmation that the Household Support Fund will be continued beyond March to allow us to keep residents well, support them to engage in work and education, prevent escalating crises and reduce pressure on wider public services.”
Further information
Provided by the UK government, specifically the Department for Work and Pensions, the wider Household Support Fund scheme of which this is one element is administered by KCC and designed to support Kent residents in need of help with rising living costs.
A proportion of the funding pot has also been made available for Kent’s district and borough councils to put in place support schemes which target specific local need across the county.
Applicants for the £100 winter energy scheme must:
- be 16 or over
- be a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bromley, and Bexley)
- have a household income of less than £40,000 per annum before tax, including all benefits and employment income
- not have savings above £1000 not including funds you have identified for the payment of regular bills
- do not receive free school meals voucher support from your child’s school over the school holidays, for any child within your household
This scheme does not require any bank account details and will never request these details over the phone or via email or text message. Be aware of criminals trying to capitalise on the cost-of-living crisis. Please be vigilant and if you are approached in this way by someone claiming to be from the council, follow this advice:
- Always report it to Action Fraud
- Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice if you think you need it
- Alert your bank if you have given out your bank details.
Visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support to help you find your way through the advice and support available with more information on benefits eligibility, reducing energy costs, help paying bills and a support finder in relation to food, council tax, clothing, childcare and more.
*This card is issued by GVS Prepaid Ltd, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
Provided by the UK government, specifically the Department for Work and Pensions, the wider Household Support Fund scheme of which this is one element is administered by KCC and designed to support Kent residents in need of help with rising living costs.
A proportion of the funding pot has also been made available for Kent’s district and borough councils to put in place support schemes which target specific local need across the county.
Applicants for the £100 winter energy scheme must:
- be 16 or over
- be a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bromley, and Bexley)
- have a household income of less than £40,000 per annum before tax, including all benefits and employment income
- not have savings above £1000 not including funds you have identified for the payment of regular bills
- do not receive free school meals voucher support from your child’s school over the school holidays, for any child within your household
This scheme does not require any bank account details and will never request these details over the phone or via email or text message. Be aware of criminals trying to capitalise on the cost-of-living crisis. Please be vigilant and if you are approached in this way by someone claiming to be from the council, follow this advice:
- Always report it to Action Fraud
- Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice if you think you need it
- Alert your bank if you have given out your bank details.
Visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support to help you find your way through the advice and support available with more information on benefits eligibility, reducing energy costs, help paying bills and a support finder in relation to food, council tax, clothing, childcare and more.
*This card is issued by GVS Prepaid Ltd, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
