Supporting vulnerable residents – Household Support Fund in Epsom and Ewell
Supporting vulnerable residents is a key role here at CAEE. As winter approaches we’re pleased to update stakeholders on the value of the HSF to families and the community.
Anna Tickle is Advice First Aid Adviser, Victoria Wan Research & Campaigns Volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (3 minutes)
From June to September 2024, we fully distributed our government-allocated Household Support Fund. We assisted 162 clients, families, older people, those with a disability or long-term condition. We helped them cover otherwise unaffordable essential costs with energy or supermarket vouchers or direct utility payments.
Local impact
Since our last update in July, we’ve witnessed the fund’s significant positive impact on the community. It has:
- provided emergency help to struggling people
- alleviated financial pressure and anxiety for households
- demonstrated how essential such support is in a cost-of-living crisis.
Increased support for vulnerable groups
The positive local impact underlines the importance of continuing this vital support through future funding rounds. A key focus of the HSF is providing additional help to vulnerable groups with rising living costs. Here’s a closer look at the groups we’ve been able to assist:
Older residents Increasing living costs have hit many older residents, particularly those living on fixed incomes or just outside eligibility for Pension Credit. The HSF is providing additional resources to ensure these people can afford basics like food and heating. This support is crucial in preventing poverty among the elderly.
Families with children Families are among the hardest hit by rising living expenses, especially when it comes to the cost of raising children. Through the HSF, we’ve provided essential support to many families, including help with the cost of school uniforms and other vital expenses. Over half the households helped were those with children.
People with disabilities or long-term health conditions Living with disabilities often comes with increased living costs; it may be higher energy usage due to health-related needs or the cost of specialised care or equipment. The HSF exists to mitigate the additional financial challenges these households face.
However, the support has not been limited to these groups. We have also been able to help those in temporary financial crisis. Unexpected costs can be difficult for anyone. Having somewhere to turn has been vital for many clients.
Client stories
The most common way we helped people was with the cost of food – 4 in 5 needed and received a supermarket voucher.
Yet with further exploration we often found many had an underlying problem; it might be an unexpected cost such as a particularly large utility or other bill or late benefit payment. Frequently we could help through the HSF and/or our advice services.
Client 1: back on the road
One client we supported using the HSF was someone whose car urgently needed fixing; his wife was unwell and the car was important in her care. A sudden breakdown and an unaffordable repair bill were clearly detrimental both to him and his wife. It was a huge burden, both financially and emotionally. Using the HSF we were able to help the client get back on the road and continue to care for his wife.
Client 2 wheels in transition
Another client we were able to support was a man who was migrating from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. He was left with less money than usual and unable to pay his car insurance for the month. He was extremely reliant on his car and being unable to drive came with numerous other consequences. Using the HSF we were able to pay 1 month car insurance and support the client during this transitional period.
Many of us are not prepared for a rainy day and having an emergency fund to help our clients through times like this has been vital.
The latest phase of the HSF ended in September but the government has announced a further extension to April 2025. This is welcome news about continuing targeted support allocated at local level.
Stay informed
We will keep residents informed as arrangements for this phase are announced. We encourage everyone to stay up to date by regularly checking our website for news and updates.
In the meantime, drop-in services remain open for anyone needing assistance on Monday and Tuesday 10am to 1pm, and Thursdays 10am to 3pm, at the Old Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, KT18 5AG.
With winter approaching and utility costs expected to rise, we remain committed to helping the most vulnerable in our community. By keeping residents informed about these updates, we aim to ensure that no one misses out on the vital support available during these difficult times.
Stay warm and connected—we’re here to help!
Household Support Fund – What you need to know