The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is asking councils to alert residents to the risk of potential scams, concerning applications to the Household Support Fund.
Residents can apply for support through the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme, but the DWP has written to councils to alert them to the risk of scammers taking advantage of the situation. The DWP say that residents elsewhere in the country have been telephoned and told that they are eligible for the Household Support Fund, with the caller saying that they are from their local council. The caller asks for the resident’s bank details so that the money can be transferred to their account.
Unfortunately, residents across the country are being targeted by scammers. Be wary about sharing any personal or payment details over the phone. If you are ever in doubt about whether someone calling you is really from the council, please end the call. Make sure you are speaking with the Local Welfare Scheme by phoning the team on 0800 408 1448 or our switchboard number 01926 410410.
If you think that you may have been scammed, you can report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040.
For advice, contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. If you give your bank details to a scammer alert your bank immediately.
What is the Household Support Fund?
On 4 September 2024, the Chancellor announced, that the Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford household essentials including energy and water bills, food, and wider essentials.
We are currently working through the details of the new scheme and this page will be updated when these details have been finalised.
If you need help now
If you need help with fuel or food now, you can apply to our Local Welfare Scheme for support.
To be eligible for support:
- You must live in Warwickshire
- You will be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents or carers
- You are struggling to pay for essentials because you don’t have enough money to pay for them
- You can provide the required proof of your identity, residency, and household financial information, you will need to provide supporting evidence in the form of a Council Tax bill, utility bill or a bank statement dated within the last month.
To apply for support, call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.30pm on Friday.
Act on Energy provides support for energy debts across Warwickshire
Act on Energy can help with financial support toward current energy debts and assistance to repair or replace broken boilers and heating systems.
You need to:
- Live in the following district council areas – Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugby, Nuneaton and Bedworth or North Warwickshire
- Have a combined gross household income of no more than £31,000.00 per year
- Have no household savings
- Have someone living with a vulnerability.
If your household satisfies each of the 4 criteria above, you can apply for support through the Warwickshire Household Support Fund provided you have not applied for the same support in the previous 6 months.
For further information or to apply for support, please visit the Act on Energy website.
