That the Household Support Fund (HSF) for 2023/24 be allocated as follows

1.    Food vouchers issued through Family Hub £60,000

2.    Households with a low disposable income, who are not in receipt of welfare benefits (includes pension age, unpaid carers, and disabled people) £1,100,000.

3.    Households, who are in receipt of welfare benefits (includes pension age, unpaid carers and disabled people) £450,000.

4.    Essential linked to energy and water e.g., warm clothing, ovens, for those in receipt of a disability benefit or children under 5 £50,000.

5.    Care experienced young people £46,200.

6.    Provision of additional debt and benefit advice £127,514.

7.    Food banks £150,000.

8.    Social supermarkets £250,000.

9.    Baby banks and Homestore £40,000.

10. Ringfence £197,000 for administrative expenses.

That additional local support allocation of £400,000 (£150,000 from COVID reserves and £250,000 from Exceptional Hardship) be allocated as follows.

1.    £200,000 to be allocated to the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) Budget.

2.    £200,000 to be allocated to Welfare Support, to be held for Autumn/Winter 2023/2024.

To meet the grant restrictions and prioritise addressing hunger, poverty and housing cost pressures in Torbay.

None.

This decision will be implemented immediately.

Guidance was issued on 20 February and a 12-month funding package of £2,470,714 provided for Torbay.

The guidance states that the fund can be used to provide support with food, essentials linked to energy and water, wider essentials. In terms of type of support, it suggests that authorities should prioritise supporting households with the cost of energy.  Authorities should particularly consider how they can support those vulnerable households who are ineligible for other government support.  Support can also be provided to fund additional debt and benefits advice.

Reasonable administrative expenses can be charged to the grant.

None.