I would be grateful if you could please provide the following information on the Household Support Scheme as of 31st December:

1. The total amount of funding allocated to you from the Household Support Fund
Total Allocation is £525,573.35

2. The total amount of this funding that you allocated to be spent on vulnerable households with children
The funding guidance stipulates that at least 50% of the funding be spent on vulnerable families with children. We have not allocated a fixed amount to these families. However, a significant proportion of the funding will be spent on food vouchers over school holiday periods for families with children eligible for free school meals – currently estimated spend is £245,000. The remaining funding will be allocated to meet demand from other vulnerable households in need, a significant proportion of which will also have children. Early indications are that over 80% of the funding will go to vulnerable households with children

3. If any funding was given directly to local charities, services or community groups, the total of this amount and the names of the organisations it was given to
The disbursement of all funding in Wokingham (outside that allocated separately to vulnerable families with children eligible for free school meals) will go via the voluntary sector, we anticipate this will use up the remainder of the borough’s allocation – approximately £280,500. This is through a consortium arrangement involving the local voluntary organisations: Citizen’s Advice Wokingham, Wokingham United Charities, First Days, Age UK Berkshire and The Cowshed.

4. The criteria you determined for eligibility to the scheme (e.g. must be in receipt of certain benefits, have less than a certain amount of savings)
As stated above, eligibility for a portion of the funding is based on families with children eligible for free school meals. For the remainder of the funding there are no absolute criteria other than demonstrable need, although we have focused the funding towards energy / heating costs and associated wider essentials. Need is assessed through the voluntary sector organisation, in particular Citizen’s Advice who can then also connect presenting clients with other forms of support that extend beyond just meeting immediate needs.

5. The format in which support from the Fund is provided (e.g. voucher, bank transfer, buying items directly for individuals) and any stipulations on what it must be spent on (e.g. vouchers for food or for fuel bills)
Support for families with children eligible for free school meals is in the form of food vouchers. Support with energy costs is a mix of fuel vouchers and direct payments to suppliers. One of the partner charities also purchases goods on behalf of clients – including warm clothing, bedding and sanitary products.

6. If those determined as eligible for the scheme were automatically provided with support from the Fund or if they were required to apply
Families with children eligible for free school meals are automatically provided with support. Other support is via an application process – this has the primary advantage of ensuring other forms of support are also available and can be accessed.

7. The date at which applications opened for support from the Fund
Monday 22nd November.

8. The total number of applications received for support from the Fund
For the element of funding requiring an application, as of the end of December 170 applications for support had been received.

9. The total number of applications that were approved
All applicants to date have received some form of support.

10. If applications are now closed, the date at which they closed
Not applicable. Funding is for the period until the end of March and applications are still being encouraged.