Money lifeline for vulnerable Swindon households

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that announced that it will be extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months.

This, the Government says, will give vulnerable households support with the cost of essentials this winter.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: "While we are yet to receive confirmation of the funding, it is estimated that we could receive around £1.5m for residents who need it.

"Under the scheme between April and August this year, we allocated £1.35m which included distributing 28,200 food vouchers to families with children during school holidays, supporting 9,400 children, at a cost of around £1.133m. 

"In addition, 606 food vouchers worth £87,550 were given to vulnerable residents through referral, and £40,000 in grants were made to local food charities, including the Salvation Army, Harbour Project, Growbaby, Swindon Food Collective, Big Breakfast, Boxes of Hope with the Gorse Hill Baptist Church, the Night Shelter and Alternative Angels."

A total of 272 Emergency Assistance awards were also made to people who needed them to help with energy and kitchen appliances and second-hand furniture, totalling £33,914.

A total of £15,000 of the funding is also being used by health visitors to help pay for formula feed for new low-income mothers, and 71 households were provided with a share of £39,000 to help with service charges for those in supported accommodation.