£7.1m grant going to thousands of Leeds households to combat rising costs

Leeds City Council is set to share a £7.1m government grant between thousands of residents to help with them cope with cost of living pressures.

The Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund (HSF) will help locals pay for food, energy bills and other essential costs, with most going to people receiving Council Tax Support (CTS).

Households on the lowest incomes will be able to benefit from the fund directly, without having to apply to the scheme.

However, the council has admitted some families in need will still miss out from the grants, as government criteria requires the money to be distributed more evenly than the previous year.  

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said: ‘We remain firmly committed to helping our most vulnerable residents and families during this incredibly financially difficult time.

‘While this funding is extremely valuable, it will work out at no more than £9 per person in Leeds. We are making every effort to distribute it carefully and fairly, but we do recognise that the way in which the government has stipulated it to be allocated, will mean that some families will miss out on substantial support. We would like to remind eligible families that support is still available through other channels such as the Healthy Holiday’s initiative and if you need urgent help we are urging people to please get in touch via the local welfare support scheme.

‘The funding will be allocated to more groups this year, including more funding made available to pensioners and to people without children who are in receipt of Council Tax Support. We will also be allocating a certain amount of funding to charities who have a particular focus on supporting families who are struggling. We hope that by allocating the funding in this way, we are able to help as many people who need it as much as we can while also following government guidance.’

63,000 low income households in Leeds relying on CTS are set to get a voucher of up to £100 before the end of July.

The council’s Healthy Holidays programme can also provide support to families throughout the school holidays through activities and free meals for children.

Photo by Gary Butterfield