Residents in need, including vulnerable families, will receive help with the cost of food and heating and other essentials this winter.
Dorset Council has been awarded £2,294,941 from the Government’s Household Support Fund which has been set up to help vulnerable households across the country in need of financial support.
Some of the money allocated to the council will be used to make sure children who receive free school meals during term time will have food vouchers over the Christmas, February half term and Easter school holidays.
Information about food vouchers will be shared with families direct from their school.
One-off winter energy vouchers of £200 will also be made available to households in receipt of Universal Credit with limited capability for work or, earnings below the free school meals and free prescription threshold.
At least 50 percent of the Household Support Fund will be used to support vulnerable families with children in Dorset. In addition to food and winter energy vouchers, other targeted emergency local assistance will be available including support for care leavers, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and people using food banks.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help said:
“The knock-on effects of the pandemic continue to place huge pressures on people, and we know many of our residents will be finding it hard to make ends meet, particularly at this time of year.
“This funding aims to help those who are struggling to pay for food, heating, and other essential household costs.
“We’re working with our Dorset Together partners to make sure this help will reach those most in need this winter.”
Find out more about how to apply for free school meals.
More information about access to food, financial advice and help with isolation is available on the council’s Reaching Out webpages
I am a disabled lady of 63 who can’t work for health reasons. Benefits I claim are PIP and Universal Credit with the extra disabled premium. My daughter has just sent me this link and I was wondering if I would be entitled to any help out of this fund. Thank you.
Hi Janet, Thanks for getting in touch. Information about who can claim the support is available on our webpage here: http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/winter-energy-vouchers
If you need further help or advice you can email hsf@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305221027.
I hope this helps.
Imogen
Can you advise why this is only open to those on universal credit. This doesn’t seem to include those on legacy benefits such as ESA? I’m confused yet again we seem to be ignored and usually those on legacy benefits are those most in need such as disabled. Could you explain why?
Hi Christian
One of the main criteria to apply for a Winter Energy Voucher is that applicants must be on Universal Credit. However, if you are not on Universal Credit and are concerned about being able to pay utility bills or other costs this winter, there may still be help available to you.
If you are in this situation we strongly recommend that you contact Dorset Citizens Advice – Freephone 0800 144 8848 – as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
Imogen
Why have I with 2 disabled children not 8n school awaiting places struggling on universal credit not been told about this?
Hi Caroline, I’m sorry you have missed the opportunity to apply for a Winter Energy Voucher. The scheme was promoted widely at the time but closed earlier than expected due to very high demand.
It may be that you can still access other forms of support. You mention you have children in your household, our locality teams may be able to help. Find out how to make contact here: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/get-help-for-your-family/getting-help-for-your-family#locality
We would also strongly recommend that you make contact with our colleagues at Dorset Citizens Advice on Freephone 0800 144 8848 – they can look at your individual circumstances and assess whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
Once again I find this out too late to apply…. This is the 4th benefit we were entitled to, but again closed!!!! Why, oh why is it not advertised elsewhere, where people can see it!!!!!
Hi Kathryn
I’m sorry you have missed the opportunity to apply for a Winter Energy Voucher. The scheme was promoted widely at the time but closed earlier than expected due to very high demand.
It may be that you can still access other forms of support. If you have children in your household, our locality teams may be able to help, details of the locality teams are available here: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/get-help-for-your-family/getting-help-for-your-family#locality
We would also strongly recommend that you make contact with our colleagues at Dorset Citizens Advice on Freephone 0800 144 8848 – they can look at your individual circumstances and assess whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
Hi Christian, you may be eligible for the Warm home discount Scheme. You will need to contact your gas/electric. Supplier who will assist you. I think it’s £165 hope this helps.
Hi, I’ve just applied for this. I’m on legacy benefits tho.. The application allows for universal credit applicants only… Which is Blatent discrimination is it not?
I believe there’s already a case going through court about this sort of discrimination against the disabled so I rather hope this isn’t the case here and just an over sight
I’m disabled and have had to finish work due to health issues. I also care for my son who has serious medical issues and is unable to work. I have a smart meter for gas/electric and when I checked on Tuesday my electric was down to £6 which makes me panic as my son has to use a breathing machine overnight. I constantly worry about him I claim Universal Credit and PIP and have been sent this link in the hope you may be able to help in some way
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for getting in touch.
The links on this page may be of assistance – https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/coronavirus/support-for-residents.
Kind regards,
Sarah
I live 8n house with storage heaters and can’t afford to have them on, I’m so cold have to wear coat lost my wife 18months ago she would do all this as don’t 7nderstand it.. 8m on unvresal credit
Hi Jacob,
I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. Our Winter Energy Voucher scheme has closed but there may still be other help available to you. We strongly recommend that you make contact with our colleagues at Dorset Citizens Advice on Freephone 0800 144 8848 – they can look at your individual circumstances and assess whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
I am on Universal Credit after losing my job through I’ll health, my payments don’t even cover my rent let alone food and heating. I have chronic kidney deseesie and I’m on constant dialysis. I’m an ex Serviceman and can’t afford to live can you please help
Hi. If you call the helpline on 01305 221000 between 8.30-5pm, they can put you in touch with the relevant people who can help. Thanks, Paul
Do disabled residents on esa and pip qualify for any help towards heating costs
Hi there, thanks for getting in touch.
Information about who can claim the support is available on our webpage here: http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/winter-energy-vouchers
The eligibility criteria states:
We will only give a Winter Energy Voucher to applicants who live in the Dorset Council local authority area and receive Universal Credit with at least one of the following:
– a limited capability for work (this is an extra amount within Universal Credit that’s paid if you have a health condition or disability that prevents you from working or preparing for work. This should be clearly shown on your monthly assessment breakdown which you can find on your journal).
– you earn below the free school meals threshold (your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you get)
– your earnings are below the free prescription threshold (your earnings for the most recent assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if your Universal Credit includes an element for a child, or if you have a limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity)
If you live in the Dorset Council area, receive Universal Credit and any of the above three criteria apply to you, you can make an application.
If you need more help or advice you can email hsf@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305221027.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
Hi you may be eligible for the Warm home discount Scheme. You will need to contact your gas/electric. Supplier who will assist you. I think it’s £165 hope this helps
What about those of us that aren’t on universal credit, what help is available for us
Hi Sheena
We are administrating this programme on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions and following their eligibility guidance.
If you’re struggling but don’t qualify for this support, we recommend calling Dorset Citizens Advice as soon as you can on Freephone 0800 144 8848. They have specialist advisors who can help with immediate money problems and also help you plan for the longer term.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
Hello Imogen,
In fact if you read the DWP guidance to local authorities your answer is incorrect – they identified this fund to be used for vulnerable households not just those on UC. Dorset Council really needs to relook at this in light of those on a low income who receive legacy benefits (HSA/IS/ESA etc) and those on pension Credit Guaranteed.
DWP criteria does it exclude them from HSF and BCP council are not excluding then in the same way that Dorset is.
Kate
Hi Kate, thanks for your comments. The council has put in place a wide ranging programme to allocate the government’s Household Support Fund, and Winter Energy Vouchers formed just one part of this.
At least 50 percent of the Household Support Fund has to be used to support vulnerable families with children in Dorset. The council is therefore also using the Household Support Fund to make sure children who usually receive free school meals during term time will have food vouchers over school holidays.
We are also making targeted emergency assistance available for people who are in difficulty. This includes support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, people using food banks, and young people leaving care.
One of the main criteria for the Winter Energy Voucher scheme is that applicants need to be on Universal Credit. If you are not on Universal Credit and are concerned about being able to pay utility bills or other costs this winter, there may still be help available to you, including the Warm Home Discount scheme: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
We strongly recommend that anyone struggling to pay for food, heating and other essentials should contact Dorset Citizens Advice – Freephone 0800 144 8848 – as soon as possible for help to tackle immediate problems and plan for the longer term.
Kind regards
Imogen
Extract from Gov.uk website “The new Household Support Fund will support millions of households in England and will be distributed by councils in England, who know their local areas best and can directly help those who need it most, including for example, through small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities. Cash will be made available to Local Authorities in October 2021.”
There is no mention of Universal Credit being a specific requirement.
Hi Ken,
We have put in place a wide ranging programme to allocate the government’s Household Support Fund, and the Winter Energy Vouchers form just one part of this.
Dorset Council is also using the Household Support Fund to make sure children who usually receive free school meals during term time will have food vouchers over school holidays.
We are also making targeted emergency assistance available to people who are in difficulty. This includes support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, people using food banks, and young people leaving care.
One of the main criteria to apply for a Winter Energy Voucher is that applicants must be on Universal Credit. However, if you are not on Universal Credit and are concerned about being able to pay utility bills or other costs this winter, there may still be help available to you.
If you are in this situation we strongly recommend that you contact Dorset Citizens Advice – Freephone 0800 144 8848 – as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
Imogen
Hi, I’ve just applied for this. I’m on legacy benefits tho.. The application allows for universal credit applicants only… Which is Blatent discrimination is it not?
I believe there’s already a case going through court about this sort of discrimination against the disabled so I rather hope this isn’t the case here and just an over sight
you say the Winter Energy Vouchers form just one part of this. how do you apply for the other parts ?
Hi Louise, if you’re struggling we strongly recommend calling Dorset Citizens Advice as soon as you can on Freephone 0800 144 8848. They can help you with immediate money problems and also help you plan for the longer term.
I hope this helps,
Imogen
I am a 62 year old who suffers from severe asthma . I work part time and claim universal credit after i have paid my rent my council tax my gas and electric water bill bus fares to and throw to work leaves me very little money for food and everyday essentials i was of ill for a week due to my asthma there fir i had no wage for that week i am struggling from day to day which is not helping with my health condition
Dear Chantal,
This website may be able to assist you with sourcing items you may need https://www.helpandkindness.co.uk/search/dorset/Foodbank. Kind regards, Sarah
From what I’ve read in the above comments, and knowing about the discrimination cases taking place atm, I think a lawyer would be more than happy to take up a case against the council over discrimination of this sort.
Maybe. Disgusting if you’re still awaiting migration to universal credit and being discriminated against…. Disabled can freeze can they???
Just contacting Richard Drax and a disability lawyer about this. Gross discrimination
I’m on the old system and receive income support. Because I get a disability premium i can’t apply for uc. Would I still be entitled to help?
Dear Amy, Thanks for getting in touch. Information about who can claim the support is available on our webpage here: http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/winter-energy-vouchers
If you need further help or advice you can email hsf@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305221027.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards, Sarah
I am wounding if I can get help, with the winter foul? I have three grandchildren that live with me, age 10and 8and 6 I get child tax. Credit for them and I do not work. My Email is Tanningtanpoole@gmail.com my phone number is 01202828929 or 07887993674 meany thanks Mrs Bignell
Dear Beatrice,
Thanks for getting in touch. Information about who can claim the support is available on our webpage here: http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/winter-energy-vouchers
If you need further help or advice you can email hsf@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305221027.
In addition, you may get further advice from https://centraldorsetca.org.uk/.
Kind regards, Sarah
I hope this helps.