Financial Hardship

Food Bank Vouchers

We work with your local food banks and other schemes to issue food bank vouchers and help to those in need of emergency food in times of crisis.

You may be entitled to a free food bank voucher which provides a parcel containing a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried food donated by your local community.

There are Foodbanks in Bridgwater, Highbridge & Cheddar for opening days/times visit:

Find a Food Bank – The Trussell Trust

We can advise and issue vouchers to families or individuals who require them. If you need a voucher, contact us and we can help.

Somerset Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food and paying for prepayment meter energy bills.

Applications for this funding can be made once by each household, for each funding round. Funding rounds run every six months from October 2023 to March 2024 and April 2024 to September 2024.

Applications close on 30 September 2024

It is important to note that in all cases, the Household Support Fund cannot make direct payments towards bills and, it does not provide cash payments or make payments in to your bank account. Instead, where support is approved, vouchers will be issued for an agreed monetary value.

The Household Support Fund could help if you are struggling to afford things like:

Gas and electricity – For those with pre-payment energy meters, your cards or keys can be topped up. (vouchers must be redeemed within 5 days of receipt). For help towards all other energy bills, Food vouchers can be given in lieu of payment towards fuel bills. The value of the food vouchers can then be used to offset payment of fuel bills or other direct debit bills.

Food – For help towards paying for food, supermarket food vouchers are issued which can be used in all major supermarkets (valid for six months from receipt).

The fund will not cover:

• debt repayments
• cash payments
• rent or housing costs
• phone bills
• non-urgent items such as televisions and some furniture

Applications are completed online and you will need to create an account with proof of identity and proof of income.

Homes in Sedgemoor Support Fund

Similar to Somerset Council’s support fund, Homes in Sedgemoor has funding available to support customer’s experiencing severe financial hardship.

If you were not successful in getting funding from Somerset Council, we may be able to help with utility bills, providing food, clothing or school uniform; or help with furniture or white goods.

Customer eligibility:

• Current tenants of Somerset Council living in a property managed by Homes in Sedgemoor.
• Willing to complete income & expenditure assessment.
• If in rent arrears, have an active arrangement in place to clear account.
• No serious cases of anti-social behaviour.
• Accept referral for budgeting support through a partner agency likes Citizens Advice.

The scheme cannot be used for:

• Rent, service charges or arrears
• Personal debts like loans or credit cards
• Non-essential items like televisions, mobile phone bills or subscriptions

Contact your Income or Housing Officer to discuss this scheme.

Additional Household Support

For additional household support, including help with food, information and advice, help with childcare, and help with bills.

Visit Somerset Council to find useful links and advice: