Community grants - Household Support Fund

Household Support Fund 2025/2026 grant framework

Introduction

The purpose of the Household Support Fund Grant Framework is to set out the principles and criteria that govern how North Northamptonshire Council (the council) awards grant funding from the Household Support Fund (HSF) for 2025/26.

The council is committed to distributing available funding fairly, efficiently, and effectively. This framework outlines the council’s approach to Household Support Funding distribution and resourcing external third-party organisations to assist in the delivery of the council’s strategic objectives and priorities.

The Household Support Funding distribution and resourcing by external third-party organisations to assist in the delivery of the Household Support Fund is guided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A grant is defined as a financial award the council makes from Household Support Fund to support households which are both vulnerable and experiencing financial hardship with the increased costs-of-living.

These grants can be made to community and voluntary organisations, town and parish councils, registered charities and to other bodies working within the council’s boundary.

This framework is written for the council and any who enquires about Household Support Fund availability and procedures. It applies to the process of funding for grants from the HSF only.

The extension of the fund was announced by the DWP as part of the continuation of the costs of living support packages for 2025/26.

Scope

The framework is built on a set of agreed principles and an understanding that:

• grants are made at the discretion of the council and will be dependent on the availability of the level of funding which is determined by the DWP
• activities funded must be fully consistent with the council’s corporate priorities
• all grant applications will be determined on their objective merits - no organisation is entitled to funding just because it may have been granted funding in the past or for any other reason
• a consistent, customer focused process is required in relation to the Household Support Fund 2025/26 grant applications, with relevant assessment and evaluation procedures, and appropriate monitoring systems in place
• the council must ensure proper, prudent, and effective use of public money; and eligibility for funding is aligned with specified criteria - this allows the council to focus on supporting organisations to achieve their best and to meet clearly identified needs, as per the council’s corporate priorities

Grant applications will be available between the 1 September 2025 and 6 October 2025.

Grant framework outcomes

It is recognised that voluntary and community sectors and parish and town councils have an important role to play in improving quality of life in North Northamptonshire.

We invite applications for grant funding from not-for-profit organisations who can demonstrate funding will be used to support low-income and vulnerable households across both town and rural communities in North Northamptonshire.

Consideration will be given to applications that have a good evidence base, demonstrating clear outcomes and links to the aims and objectives of HSF.

Applications need to evidence how they will meet specific key performance indicators with funding provided.

Applications considered must reflect the changing demographics and social infrastructure of local communities and align to the aims and objectives of this HSF. The overall aim of the HSF Grant process is:

To provide preventative support to prevent vulnerable households from falling into - or falling further into - crisis.

The objectives of this framework are to ensure that all grants allocated will also:

• target resources to meet identified needs
• maximise leverage (for example match funding)
• maximise sustainability (economic, environmental and social)
• achieve accountability and openness
• provide guidance to officers, members, and voluntary and community organisations on the framework in relation to HSF funding available and support of the council’s households

Applications are assessed against the individual grant specifications, as listed below:

Scoring utilised is as detailed in the scoring matrix in section 4 accountability and responsibilities.

Accountability and responsibilities

This section outlines the role of Grant Funding Panel (hereafter known as ‘the Panel’) and Oversight Board, and officers and others as appropriate, in relation to the HSF.

Members of the council’s Panel and Oversight Board are:

• accountable to the council to ensure proper, prudent and effective use of public money
• accountable to the council to ensure that activities that are funded are consistent with the guidance provided by the DWP
• accountable for the application of a consistent, customer focused process with relevant assessment and evaluation procedures and appropriate monitoring systems in place

The Panel will be responsible for assessing and making recommendations to the Oversight Board who operate under a delegated authority from the Executive as part of the approval received for the distribution of funds for the HSF. The Oversight Board will then make the awarding decision.

The Panel will have representation council officers from:

• Stronger and Safer Communities
• Finance
• Public Health
• Children Services
• Revenue and Benefits

The Oversight Board will be represented by the following:

• Executive Member for Communities
• Director of Public Health
• Strategic Finance Business
• Assistant Director Communities and Leisure
• Head of Stronger and Safer Communities

The Panel will provide advice and assistance regarding applications as necessary.

Organisations in receipt of funding are required to comply with terms and conditions set out in a grant agreement, which will be specific to their project and align with HSF aims.

Implementation procedures

Underpinning Principles: both the Panel and Oversight Board acknowledges the need for a transparent and fair means of dispersing the HSF grants, while maintaining due diligence in the management of public monies.

The underpinning principles

The basic funding requirement is based on established need.

The overarching principle is that of meeting local needs which have been identified and prioritised by the council or by others but acknowledged by the council.

All activity must meet the following basic requirements to be provided with funding:

• have a clearly identified need
• must deliver outcomes which meet this need
• deliver cost effective and quality service provision, fitting with the purpose and remit of the individual grant specification
• must demonstrate funding will be used to support low-income and vulnerable households across both town and rural communities in North Northamptonshire
• be delivered by a credible organisation with the capacity to deliver the project as stated
• align with the DWP guidance
• meets the essential criteria as listed in the individual grant specification
• have submitted all the relevant documentation as detailed on the application form

Accessibility

Information on Household Support Fund will be available through the council’s website and through other forms of media as required.

Clarity

The council will endeavour to keep the process straightforward, transparent and accessible.

Transparency, equality and accountability

All assessments of funding and grant applications will adhere to this HSF grant framework and individual grant specification.

Separate applications are required for each individual grant specification.

Scoring matrix

The assessment of grant applications will be scored using the following matrix as per each individual grant specification criteria.

The Panel and Oversight Board must be able to justify recommendations made, and the rationale.

The grant framework and scoring matrix will make it possible for the Panel and Oversight Board to be transparent about HSF Funding recommendations taken and the process used to reach these.

Eligibility

In order to manage the grant funding applications in a fair and equitable manner, the council has established eligibility and grant specifications with which all groups must comply. See applicants as to who is eligible to apply for funding.

Applicants

Who can apply

Parish and town councils, charities, community and voluntary groups, clubs, and not for profit organisations are eligible to apply for funding for the specified purposes.

Applications will only be accepted from organisations whose activities are not carried out for profit, that are properly constituted, efficiently run and subject to prudent financial management.

Who cannot apply

Private businesses and for-profit organisations where funding would contravene local government Subsidy Control or any other legislation.

Statutory bodies (an organisation that has been created by law (statute); parish and town councils are exempt).

Religious bodies where the money will be used primarily for religious purposes or religious buildings or facilities unless it meets the requirements of the individual grant specifications.

Political parties or groups whose primary purpose is lobbying.

Organisations that hold more than six months unrestricted operating costs within their assets, unless a good reason can be demonstrated.

Any application for unspecified and unclear purposes.

What can be funded

There will be specific eligibility criteria in applying for individual grant specifications and the list below only includes those elements which are common to third party organisation in delivering the individual specification:

• Up to 5% core running costs (heat and light, insurance rent or premises costs, office costs, etc)
• Programme or direct costs which are directly relevant to the individual grant specification
• Projects or activities that supports households in need of support to cover the essential living costs such as food, clothing, utility bills and household costs
• Travel and transport costs associated with events in North Northamptonshire related to grant distribution within 60 miles
• Hire or purchase of equipment for meeting project needs
• Technical assistance (where third-party support is required to meet the project outcomes)
• Publicity, marketing but not political lobbying
• Volunteer expenses

What cannot be funded

Some exclusions will apply, unless specifically allowed for within specific funding sources:

• Applications from households based and outside of the North Northamptonshire Council boundary
• Requests for grants from organisations which are discriminatory, political, or are classed as religious conversion
• Where there is statutory funding provision available
• Costs that can be claimed back from elsewhere e.g., VAT
• Costs that are not auditable e.g., cash payments unsupported by an approved financial system
• Costs towards the TPOs banking charges or repayment of debt
• Payments made to individual members of an organisation who have a personal financial interest
• Retrospective costs e.g., activities completed, or costs incurred before the agreement of funding
• Programmes or activities which are considered the core activity of national or regional government, Government Departments, or arms-length body, such as health or education
• Gifts and prizes
• Alcohol
• Employee costs, including salaries (unless agreed by the Funder)
• Political lobbying
• Training or facilitation costs
• Works to facilities that should be subject to an insurance claim

How to apply

Applicants will be encouraged to submit electronic copies of the application form online.

We encourage collaborative working of TPOs in making applications to ensure suitable coverage across all areas of North Northamptonshire in both town and rural communities.

Additional supporting documentation must be submitted alongside the application form for it to be assessed. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected. This includes:

• Constitution or Governing Documentation
• Public Liability Insurance
• Year End Accounts
• Equality Policy
• Safeguarding Policy including Child Protection Statement and Vulnerable Adults Statement where applicable

Closing time and date for applications

This must always be adhered to and there are no exceptions for applications received after the closing time.

Closing dates can be reviewed at any time, with dates being published on the council’s webpage.

Assessment and decision

Once an application has been received the designated Officer will acknowledge this within five (5) working days.

The Panel and Oversight Board will be expected to follow the timescales and process for grant approval.

The Panel will review and discuss all applications for funding:

• Applications will be dealt with in a set timeframe
• The Panel will score and make recommendations to the Oversight Board for the final decision on awarding the grant
• Resolutions will be decided at an Oversight Board meeting

Oversight Board meetings will be held at corresponding intervals for applications as per the individual grant specifications.

Each application must achieve a minimum score of 3 for each criterion for the application process to be successful. All criteria are deemed to be critical and a minimum 60% of the total available needs to be met. The scoring matrix is set out in Transparency, Equality and Accountability.

Failure to achieve this by the end of the full application process will result in the application being rejected.

Successful applications will be awarded grant funding on receipt of signed agreement and HSF grant funding must be spent by 28 February 2026.

The council gives no undertaking that grant funding under this scheme will be available in future financial years.

If an application is unsuccessful there is no right of appeal, but feedback will be available.

Review of the framework

The Household Support Fund (HSF) grant framework can be reviewed as necessary.

Related framework procedures

The Household Support Fund (HSF) grant framework will be supported with working procedures, guidance notes and an application form. All documentation will be aligned to ensure that applying for grant funding is easy and straight forward for the applicant.

Monitoring and evaluation

The council recognises that it is important to demonstrate public money is spent the right way and achieves best value. In the allocation of funds, there will be a need to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation which focuses on outcomes. To achieve this, it is proposed that:

• monitoring should be proportionate to the funding awarded
• monitoring should also be used to demonstrate achievement
• there is a need to keep information collection as simple as possible for groups

Complaints and comments

The council is always keen to hear feedback from applicants, both positive and negative. If an applicant wishes to leave feedback on how your application has been dealt with, details of the process can be obtained from the Stronger & Safer Communities Team at [email protected].

If an applicant wants to make a formal complaint, you can use the council’s complaints process.

Contact details

Any enquires relating to the Grant Framework should be addressed to:

Household Support Fund
Stronger Communities
North Northamptonshire Council

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0300 126 3000

Adherence to the Public Sector Equality Duty

A public authority must give ‘due regard’ to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by the Equalities Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
• Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it

Further details about equalities monitoring can be found in the equalities privacy notice.

Data protection implications

A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a process to help you identify and minimise the data protection risks of a project. The council is required to undertake a DPIA for processing that is likely to result in a high risk to individuals.

The council has considered the data protection implications of processing grant funding. This processing is compliant with the provisions in the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR). The council has considered the data protection implications of processing. Further details of how personal data is processed and kept securely can be found in the Household Support Fund Grant Framework Privacy Notice.

Glossary of terms

Last updated 15 September 2025