Millions set aside to help Wirral’s most vulnerable residents
More than £5 million in ring-fenced grants will be used to help vulnerable residents in Wirral with the cost of food, utilities and other essentials.
The Government has awarded Wirral £5,374,380 through the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Previously HSF funding has helped a wide section of the community with funds being administered by the council, but with the support delivered in the main by charitable organisations who are best placed to reach out to their local communities to offer support.
The new funds will help in a variety of ways, from hampers for children during school holidays and emergency school food pantries, to help for those struggling to heat their homes and other crisis, preventative support including assistance for older people. Extra help for tackling homelessness and vulnerable households and advice services will also receive funding.
The Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
The cost of living rises of recent years affects the least well off disproportionately, so it is right that we focus resources such as this on the most vulnerable and needy in our communities.
With the help of local organisations across the borough we are targeting this funding where it can do the most good, from help for families who rely on school meals so they don’t have to worry about it during the holidays to making extra efforts to tackle the scourge of homelessness.
I would urge anyone who is struggling or who knows someone who is finding things difficult to see what help is available.
Members of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee (Thursday 26th June) approved recommendations that the HSF continue its intensive work, in partnership with local agencies, groups and organisations, to support those most vulnerable residents within the Borough. The fund will be used for:
Wirral Household Support Fund – small grants programme (£800,000)
This in the past has included community-based food and welfare support groups, including many that play a key role in supporting residents. Applications were accepted for up to £20,000 (plus up to £2,000 administration costs) to help ensure that food, fuel and essential items are available to those most in need in their local communities.
Early Years food, essential hampers during school holidays & Emergency School Food Pantries (£1,000,000)
Targeted support through the provision of food & essentials hampers will be provided to families eligible for 2 Year Funding/Early Years Pupil Premium (precursors to eligibility for Free School Meals when a child starts primary school). Other local families with children under 5 who may need the same support will be signposted to their nearest Children's Centre.
Emergency Financial/Targeted Support Fund (£200,000)
Allocation to the council’s Targeted Support Fund to support people in crisis situations.
Financial Support regarding Energy Debt (£450,000), Fuel Bank (£200,000) and Crisis support (£40,000) (combined total of £690,000).
Vulnerable residents who are unable to pay for the fuel they need to heat and power their homes or are struggling to deal with fuel and water debt can apply for help, including pre-payment meters, or apply for help towards their fuel and water costs, which will be paid directly to their utility provider.
People in crisis situations who are unable to repair or replace broken or obsolete heating and do not qualify for help under other programmes can apply to local charity Energy Projects Plus for help under the Crisis Support with heating scheme, and there is capital funding for heating & plumbing appliance repair/replacement for vulnerable, low-income Wirral residents who qualify.
Crisis support with white goods (North Birkenhead Development Trust & St Vincent de Paul Society) (£150,000)
Community-based partners, North Birkenhead Development Trust and St Vincent de Paul Society (Wirral), have provided white goods and other essential items to vulnerable households who do not meet the threshold for Council support through its Emergency Financial Support scheme
Housing Support Costs Rent (£100,000)
This funding provides support to households, under certain circumstances and where there is no alternative means of support, to retain their tenancy, reducing the risk of homelessness supported via collaboration with Policy in Practice.
Income Maximisation Programme (£65,000)
This is to support and deliver a series of income maximisation initiatives, providing wider support for low-income households, through Campaign Management Support and ‘Self-Serve’ access for residents via the web-based ‘Better Off’ calculator.
Older Lives Support (£100,000)
Supporting Age UK in the delivery of their work across Wirral including assisting older people to have regular hot meals provided at lunch clubs and day care centres, supporting older people with particular dietary requirements following discharge from hospital and increasing the capacity of their ‘Cost of Living Information and Advice Team’.
Support for Vulnerable Families and Households (Early Years, £900,000)
Although the council’s children’s services provide significant support for children and families this is additional and is delivered in partnership with community, voluntary and faith organisations across the Wirral to help with the increased challenges regarding fuel poverty and the cost-of-living for more families who are in dire financial straits, and for example, are no longer able to afford the basics (food, clothing, gas and electricity).
Tackling Homelessness & Housing, (£400,000)
In recent years, homelessness prevention has become a central component of the Government’s strategy for tackling homelessness. The funding will help with:
- Facilitating negotiation/mediation with Landlords, and Family/Friends.
- Visiting properties to offer face-to-face support to the householder, whilst ensuring the property is in good condition and free of hazards.
- Assistance to access statutory services i.e. Mental Health, Drug Issues and/or CVS agencies where needed.
Advice Services - CAB (£100,000)
Increasing the capacity of Wirral’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau ‘CAB’ service to help Wirral residents tackle a wide range of issues, such as debt, benefits, employment, housing.
Full details of the HSF programme are available in the report to the Council’s P&R committee.
Final spend may vary as the scheme and ongoing demand for each provision becomes evident. Where this happens, such as a third-party organisation returns funding unused before the end of The Fund Period, the DWP’s Framework provides for the council to then spend that funding in any other eligible category within that period.
