FEELING THE COST OF LIVING PINCH? CAN THE HAMPTON FUND HELP?
The local-based Hampton Fund can provide a vital lifeline for those struggling to meet their fuel and food bills during the cost of living crisis.
In the past year the fund has awarded over 2000 grants to a value of £1.080.680 to local families, young people moving into their first homes, single people, key workers and retired people.
At the Individual Grants Panel meeting on 7th March 2024, Trustees awarded 370 fuel grants amounting to £199,200.
The fund states: “We recognise that the area we fund can be an expensive place to live with high rents and mortgages, which leaves little money left to pay bills.
“Hampton Fund may be able to assist with a grant to help with fuel bills (gas and electric), essential household items and school uniform or school journeys.
To be eligible you must live in Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Teddington, Twickenham or Whitton and be on a low income.
Fuel grants are made once a year and Trustees meet to approve fuel grants every 2 months, in January, March, May, July, September and November.
The deadline for the current grant period is Thursday 18 April 2024.
Grant payments can only be made to the following suppliers
- British Gas
- British Gas NEP Evolve
- EDF
- E.on Next
- Octopus Energy
- Ovo
- Scottish Power
- Utility Warehouse.
The fund adds: “Those claiming the following benefits are considered on a low income when we assess eligibility: Universal Credit, ESA, Pension Credit or Earnings with Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit.
“For those not claiming these benefits, we assess eligibility based on the level of disposable income available after housing costs and other key outgoings are taken into account.”
The historic aims of the fund state: “We are here to give our communities the chance to create a brighter future and the opportunity to thrive. Since 1811, we have given grants, advice and support to our local communities. This will continue and together we can build a happy, healthy and hopeful community.”
Community Grants are also available for local charities, voluntary sector organisations and community groups who provide services and activities for people in our area of benefit.
The fund’s CEO Richard Barron said: “Hampton Fund’s role is particularly important in a London borough where the perception is of affluence, and therefore a lack of need.
“One important implication of this is that there is also a lack of inflowing support and resources from outside the borough. This makes our role as a funder to the local community all the more critical.”
To learn more: https://www.hamptonfund.co.uk/
