We understand that the cost of living is still affecting many people in BwD. A new phase of the Household Support Scheme starts this month continuing to help people with rising costs.

The scheme gives support to local people struggling with current costs & prices, including food & bills. BwD Council has delivered the scheme since October 2021 in partnership with voluntary, community & faith sector partner organisations - all working together to get vital support to people that need it most.

Applications are now open | Apply here:
Household Support Scheme | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Additional support may also be available to you direct from:
Help for Households - Get government cost of living support

Eligibility

Household income

You can be considered for the Household Support Scheme if:

• Your total household income (including anyone who gets benefits) is below £26,057 gross pay (before tax and National Insurance) for one adult in work, or
• Your total household income (including anyone who gets benefits) is below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance) for families with 2 or more adults in work

Income based benefits

The council can also consider you for the Household Support Scheme if your household gets income based benefits and meets a minimum of 1 of these criteria:

• A physical disability
• A learning disability, or Autism
• A long term health condition which is impacted by the cold
• A reliance on electrical equipment to support independent living
• Vulnerable adults or children in the home, who are supported by mental health services
• Vulnerable families who are supported by a social worker, or family support
• A vulnerable adult supported by a social worker or adult health and social care
• Children under 5
• Carers
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Have recently come off benefits and entered employment
• Have recently left employment and are waiting for benefits
• Your Universal Credit claim is nil because you are an intermittent worker, on a zero hour contract, part of the gig economy or on a variable income

You can make 1 application per household during any 6 month period, including previous schemes.

You must have less than £16,000 in savings.

Evidence you need to provide

You will need to provide evidence to support your claim. This evidence might be:

• from a GP
• a hospital letter
• the name of a support or social worker
• a Universal Credit or benefits statement

You will also have to provide evidence of all your household income for the council to consider your application. As part of your application, you must upload all family members wage slips.

You must take photographs of any evidence required, showing the name and address of the household member the evidence applies to, and upload it with your application. 

For full details please visit the council website here.