Solihull Household Support Fund
Help with energy and heating costs. April 2023 – March 2024
Solihull
Help with energy and heating costs. April 2023 – March 2024
Solihull
We are awaiting further guidance from DWP regarding extending funding from April 2024 onwards so please check back here over the next few weeks for an update.
All applications received up to and on this date will be processed, subject to receipt of the correct supporting evidence as shown below.
Before applying please note:
For those who have previously received funding from the Solihull Energy Household Support Fund before 31st March 2023, you can now re-apply for funding – subject to the conditions set out below. We will let you know if your application has been successful as soon as we can – but this may take a few weeks.
If you received help after April 2023, you may not receive anything. Priority will be given to households that have made no previous application.
All homeowners, private rented tenants, and housing association/Council tenants can apply for energy vouchers or energy payments and help with paying off energy debt (not a debit) if they:
If your household satisfies all of the 4 criteria above, you can apply for support through the Solihull Energy Household Support Fund.
You will need to provide us with evidence of your vulnerability to support your application and send it to solihullhsf@actonenergy.org.uk This could be a photo of medication showing name and address or a vulnerability benefit letter. Without this, we are unable to make a payment to you.
Subject to funding and eligibility criteria, this fund could offer qualifying residents:
You can also get more information on our website – check out these pages for ideas on energy saving measures Resource Archive – Act On Energy
If you are applying for energy vouchers or energy payment you will need to provide details of your gas or electric supplier or oil, LPG or solid fuel supplier on the online application including your energy supplier’s name and your account number.
ENERGY VOUCHERS – If you use a key or a card to top-up your Pre-Payment meter you will be issued with 3 x £49 totalling £147 PayPoint or Post Office Vouchers. This is a one-off provision of vouchers.
ENERGY PAYMENT – A one-off payment of £147 onto your gas or electricity account or supplier, (select 1 energy type only when completing the application form), for:
This is open for Electricity and Gas debts only.
The applicant needs to:
Agree & accept that at the discretion of the Household Support Fund Team it is a condition of assistance that you are referred to a debt advice service such as StepChange to assist you with budgeting and debt management.
All applications where possible need to be made online. If you are unable to apply online call us on 0800 988 2881. You can apply online by completing the application form link at the bottom of this page.
Before applying please note:
If you were successful in receiving support through the previous Solihull Energy Household Support Fund, you can apply again. However, you may not be able to receive the same type of help through this scheme if you have received support within the last 12 months. For example, if you received financial support e.g. towards repaying an energy debt, you will not be able to receive that support again but you could apply for help with a current cost payment.
We accept referrals from both Professional Referrers and friends or family members.
The process to refer is the same as applying (see below).
If you are applying for Energy Payment support you will need to provide details of your energy supplier, oil or LPG supplier on the online application including their name and your energy account number. There is no cash alternative.
If you are applying for Pre-payment meter Fuel Vouchers you will be issued with 3 x £49 Paypoint or Post Office Vouchers.
Please note that if you are applying for assistance with Fuel Debt you will be emailed or posted a separate application form that you will need to complete and return with evidence before your application can be considered.
How long will it be before I receive help?
The Household Support Fund is not an emergency service. Applicants applying for Energy Debt Relief will be required to complete an application form and return it with all required evidence.
Energy Vouchers and Energy Payments may take up to 20 working days for payments to reach energy accounts, we aim to issue energy vouchers within 20 working days from receipt of your evidence.
Energy Debt Payments will hopefully be made 20 working days after the application form and required evidence has been received.
Please do not call and chase payments within this time period as this will not make the process any quicker, you will be advised by email when a payment has been made.
If you get benefits and have a pre-pay or smart meter that you can use fuel vouchers with, National Energy Action (NEA) also offers fuel vouchers for vulnerable households. To learn more about all the requirements, call NEA on 0800 304 7159.
For further information on the support available in relation to food, fuel and financial advice within the Solihull area please visit Here2Help (solihull.gov.uk).