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7 July, 2021 Open access

DWP issues updated guidance to local authorities on the extended Covid Local Support Grant

Updates to existing guidance reflect new funding amounts and amended reporting dates, although general guidance, including on eligibility, remains broadly the same

The DWP has issued guidance to local authorities on the extended Covid Local Support Grant.

Following the recent extension of the grant scheme (formerly known as the Covid Winter Grant Scheme) to 30 September 2021, the updated DWP advice to local authorities administering the £160 million allocated to fund the extended scheme across England includes that -

‘Rather than focus on one specific vulnerable group Authorities should try and use the wide range of data and sources of information at their disposal to identify and provide support to a broad cross section of vulnerable households in their area.’

In addition, having highlighted that local authorities have access to DWP data on benefit entitlement to help them identify potential beneficiaries, it advises -

‘However, support is not restricted to vulnerable households in receipt of benefits. Therefore, Authorities should try, where possible, to identify vulnerable households using other sources of information, such as social workers, troubled families’ advisors and utility companies.’

NB - the DWP also confirms that from June 2021 it has begun to provide local authorities with information relating to universal credit claims with limited capability for work or earnings below the free school meals and free prescription thresholds that may prove useful in identifying vulnerable families impacted by the pandemic.

For more information, see COVID Local Support Grant extension 21 June to 30 September 2021 guidance from gov.uk

Update (24 February 2022) - details of grant allocations and reported spend for each local authority between 17 April and 30 September 2021 have been published to gov.uk