Residents in Tameside who are struggling to fund essential goods and services this winter can apply to access a new fund to help with buying food, energy and other essentials.

Funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the £2.2m funding package is part of a one-time fund for local authorities to provide support to residents with their costs of living from October 2021 to March 31, 2022.

The Household Support Fund will also help to target support for residents with a low income that the council is already working with and give support to third sector organisations that work within communities. 

The scheme will relieve pressure from food banks and has already provided free school meal supermarket vouchers during school holidays.

Residents can apply for support for food, energy and water costs and some essentials such as warm clothing and sanitary products.

Cllr Brenda Warrington, Executive Leader, said: “With the rising cost of living and ongoing challenging repercussions of the pandemic, we are committed to supporting our most vulnerable residents in a time of crisis. 

“We are working with residents and partners to offer support which will alleviate pressure from food banks and other services throughout the winter months”

To apply, residents must submit a formal application, which will be reviewed by the Housing Support Funds team. Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis and the support given attributed to their personal needs and circumstances.

More information and how to apply can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfundguidance 

If successful, the resident will receive payment via BACs into their bank account. If an emergency response is needed, a list of food banks can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/foodsupport

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