Local MP Sir Stephen Timms visited Our Newham Money last week to learn about the vital services being provided to Newham residents in need of support
As part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund Awareness Week,Rt Hon Sir Stephens Timms, MP for East Ham visited Newham Council’s flagship financial well-being service, Our Newham Money to learn more about the vital work the service has been doing to deliver the funds to Newham residents.
Our Newham Money became recipients of a further £6,678,390 grant funding from DWP’s extension of the Household Support Fund, HSF4 in April 2023. Since then, the service has been busy helping over 30,000 households who are most in financial need due to the ongoing global inflationary challenges and the significant rising cost of living. The fund has also supported over 19,000 school children every school holiday with holiday food vouchers.
Sir Stephens Timms, said:” Many constituents have accessed the Household Support Fund since its introduction in 2021. I commend the staff at Our Newham Money in making sure the fund reaches families in Newham who need it.
“Local Welfare Support is an increasingly important part of Social Security. The Government presents the Household Support Fund as a temporary sticking plaster and changes the rules every year. Councils need much more consistent funding, to be able to plan their Local Welfare Support properly.”
Discussing the commendable efforts of Our Newham Money delivery of the Household Support Fund, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said:” Our Newham Money has been doing exemplary work since the Household Support Fund was introduced, helping our most vulnerable households have access to everyday essentials like buying food and paying for energy bills which have become prevalent issues arising from the cost of living crisis.
“As another winter approaches, many more of our residents will continue to feel the impact of the cost of living crisis’ effects which is not subsiding. More permanent measures including an extension of the Household Support Fund should be put in place by the Government so we can plan and provide more consistent adequate support for our residents during these difficult economic times.”
Our Newham Money has efficiently managed, administered, and continues to deliver Newham’s allocation of Household Support fund. Ensuring a collaborative approach, the service has worked across departments and with partners such as Children’s Centres, Schools, and organisations in the Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sector (VCFS) to establish an effective range of distribution channels. Our Newham Money has ensured fast and cost-effective distribution to eligible residents and targeted support to residents most in need.
A resident who used the Household Support Fund said:” Thank goodness for the Household Support Fund and Our Newham Money, I was in a desperate situation with no money to pay for food for myself and my 3 children, the support was lifesaving and I am so grateful.”
For anyone in Newham struggling with energy, or food costs, facing hardship or an emergency, you can apply for the Household Support Fund through an online application or call 020 8430 2041.
Our Newham Money is Newham Council’s financial well-being service offering support and advice to Newham residents who may be struggling with debt or the rising cost of living. The service is free and confidential and helps residents secure their financial well-being. The service is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
