I’m writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

1. How much money was your local authority allocated under the UK Government’s Household Support Fund scheme for the period 6 October 2021 to 30 September 2022?
£1,051,148

2. By 1 October 2022, how much of this money was distributed to households (whether in the form of cash, vouchers, or any other way)?
£1,051,148

3. As of 28 October 2022, how much of the money allocated to your local authority under the Household Support Fund scheme for 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 has been distributed to households (whether in the form of cash, vouchers, or any other way)?
£51,910

4. What support is currently available through the Household Support Fund for households in your local authority (for example, cash payments, fuel vouchers, food, etc)? Please provide as much detail as possible, including a link to your website, if available.
Please see leaflet attached and details on our website - Household support fund - Wokingham Borough Council.
In addition, the Council has energy saving packs containing goods such as slow cookers or air fryers, energy saving lightbulbs, blankets, thick socks, draft excluders etc. which are available.

5. What is the eligibility criteria for the Household Support Fund in your local authority?
For residents in receipt of means-tested benefits: If a resident receives Universal credit or any other means-tested benefits (MTB) and has provided evidence for this, then they will be eligible.

If a resident is not in receipt of means-tested benefits, then a calculation is made on available income. For this, essential expenditure* is subtracted from the household income. If the resident’s available income is equal to or less than £1,000 and they have savings of less than £6k, then they will be eligible.
If a resident has more than £6k in savings, then they are not eligible (NB - pensioners or persons with disabilities may have savings of more than £6k, but their monthly care costs could be very high due to high electricity bills for running equipment etc. so local discretion applies).

* For essential expenditures we would be considering:
o Bills incl. Rent/mortgage, CT, Gas, Electric, Any other fuel, water & TV Licence, Phone & Broadband, childcare - if essential
o Household & Personal only including Grocery shopping & healthcare
o Any disability related expenditures e.g., taxi fares, cleaners, disability support pets.
o Transport
o Car or other vehicle
o Savings

6. Do individuals have to apply for your local authority’s Household Support Fund or is it automatic? a) If individuals need to apply, how can they do this? Please provide postal address, phone number, email and/or URL for application, as relevant. b) If individuals need to apply, what evidence do they have to provide with their application? c) If individuals need to apply, what is the deadline for applications (if any)?
a) Yes, residents must apply – please see leaflet attached and website Household support fund - Wokingham Borough Council.
b) Proof of ID and residence at a Wokingham Borough address, latest bank statement and proof of means tested benefits if receiving them. All Evidence showing address must show current address and be dated within the last 6 months. Photographs or scans of paper-based evidence, such as letters, should also be dated within the last 6 months and must show name and address.
c) The deadline will be 31st March 2023 for all applications under the current scheme, which runs from 1st October 2022 – 31st March 2023.

7. Can households access support from your local authority’s Household Support Fund more than once? a) If so, are there any restrictions on this?
No, households can only apply once - for either Free School Meals or a support payment. However, they may also receive an energy saving/warm pack.