Council sets out how funding to support residents in need will be allocated

The Government has replaced the Household Support Fund with the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) which went live from 1 April. The new funding comes with updated criteria for how this financial support for families facing severe financial hardship must be provided. The guidance requires a move away from blanket support to a focus on targeted help for households experiencing a financial shock.

The changes that the Government has initiated to the criteria also means families who are eligible for free school meals will no longer get food vouchers during school holidays.

To help families prepare, the council has decided to delay making any changes until after May half term. Following this, eligible families will still be able to access the council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free activities and healthy meals during school holidays.

The funding received by Buckinghamshire to support local families in need has reduced significantly over the past two years, however Cabinet members have today reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting those facing financial hardship.

Crisis payments to support households who have experienced a financial shock, with essential costs for food and heating homes, will continue via the existing Helping Hand service.

Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We are committed to continuing to support our residents and communities in financial hardship despite the fact that we are being provided with less funding from central government to do this. We know how vital financial support is for our residents and how much they value the vital crisis support provided.”

Due to the reduction in funding, the council is also introducing a new financial resilience community fund to help local communities manage the cost of living and build resilience. Working in partnership with Heart of Bucks, the fund is being created to support local voluntary and community organisations delivering services such as financial advice, social and digital support, and help into work, strengthening communities and helping people get back on their feet.

Steve added: “We don’t want anyone in crisis in our local community to face these challenges alone. As a council we are here to support you and we will continue to work with our local communities and partners in the voluntary and community sector to assist all those who need it.”