Following the government’s announcement that the Household Support Fund scheme has been extended until 31 March next year, BCP Council is inviting applications from residents through Citizens Advice BCP.

Vouchers will be given out to applicants on a first-come-first-served basis so it is recommended that residents apply via the Citizens Advice BCP website as soon as possible in order to secure their voucher. Only one person can apply per household and the voucher will be sent to the named applicant or an individual named by them to accept on their behalf.

During the Winter 2021 phase of the Household Support Fund, which ran from October 2021 to March 2022, Citizens Advice BCP supported 9,166 households with access to community food providers, vouchers and help with keeping warm.

Citizens Advice BCP also offers free guidance on a range of topics via its Adviceline service at 0808 2787 939 and its Community Advice Vehicle, which provides a mobile outreach service and regular visits in local neighbourhoods.

The vouchers are being offered alongside a range of other food and energy support to help households keep warm and access affordable energy support, such as home insulation grants, energy advice home visits and emergency repairs. BCP Council is working with a range of partners to help people keep warm, such as providing a £10,000 grant to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to provide electric blankets during Safe and Well visits.

The Household Support Fund is funding a BCP Food and Winter Warmth Support Fund, administered through Dorset Community Foundation, to build capacity within the local voluntary and community sector for essential support to help residents access food and keep warm over the winter, through initiatives such as warm welcome spaces.

Cllr Jane Kelly, lead member for Communities, said: “We are delighted by the extension to the Household Support Fund scheme, which has helped thousands of households to afford essential items since its launch in 2021.

“We thank our partners for their tireless work over the past few years to support communities with the rise in the cost of living and we continue to encourage anyone who is struggling financially to reach out for help. There is support in place to help you and your family.”