Issue - meetings

This paper presents the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme April to September 2022 to the Executive Member for Finance & Performancein consultation with the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods for approval.

Resolved: That subject to the approval be given to:

a)   the council’s HSF scheme (as detailed at Annex A of the report); including the addition of Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Disability Living Allowance [as well as those Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Personal Independence Payment] for Route A – Direct Payment

b)   allocation of £50k in funding to food vouchers (as detailed at paragraph 9 and Annex A of the report);  

c)   the delegation of discretion to pay claims made within the broader scope of the scheme guidance as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (as detailed at Annex B of the report) to the Head of Customer & Exchequer Services.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents through the April – September 2022 arising from the ongoing cost of living increases.

The Executive Members considered a report that presented the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme April to September 2022 for approval. The Director Customer and Communities outlined the scheme, including an amendment to Route 1a – Direct Payment to include all identified Council Tax Support (CTS) customers in receipt of High Rate Personal Independence Payment or High Rate Disability Living Allowance.

The Director Customer and Communities was asked about access for the schemes for payments for people who could not access the information online. She explained that those residents could be supported by contacting the council by telephone and they could make an appointment at the customer centre. She added that the council had tried to contact residents as quickly as possible which helped free up staff resource to help other residents requiring support.  She noted that residents could also access support through other agencies such as Citizens Advice York (CAY) acting on their behalf.

The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed the government’s financial support with the scheme and she noted that the council had consulted advice agencies. She welcomed the proposals, in particular the £50k funding for food vouchers, which would help families pay for food. She noted the increase in children eligible for free school meals in the city. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance also welcomed the funding from government and he noted the importance of communication information on the schemes to residents. He thanked staff for their work on the schemes. They then;

Resolved: That subject to the approval be given to:

a)   the council’s HSF scheme (as detailed at Annex A of the report); including the addition of Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Disability Living Allowance [as well as those Council Tax Support Customers in receipt of the High Rate Personal Independence Payment] for Route A – Direct Payment

b)   allocation of £50k in funding to food vouchers (as detailed at paragraph 9 and Annex A of the report);  

c)   the delegation of discretion to pay claims made within the broader scope of the scheme guidance as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (as detailed at Annex B of the report) to the Head of Customer & Exchequer Services.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the city’s most financially vulnerable residents through the April – September 2022 arising from the ongoing cost of living increases.

[The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods left the meeting at 10.52am]