Sources of support

• Awareness of food banks, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and free school meals is high (61%+) at a total sample level
• Discretionary housing payments and the social tariffs for utilities have the lowest awareness (19% and 20% aware respectively)
• Usage of the different sources of support is low at a total sample level. The most used are tax free childcare (5%) and Universal Credit (4%)

This chart shows that:
83% of residents are aware of food banks, and 1% have used them
72% are aware of Universal Credit and 4% have used it
66% are aware of Housing Benefit, and 3% have used it
61% are aware of free school meals, and 3% have used them
47% are aware of Community pantries and larders, and 3% have used them
40% are aware of help with childcare costs, and 5% have used them
37% are aware of the Council Tax Support Scheme, and 3% have used it
26% are aware of Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), and 1% have used it
24% are aware of the Household Support Fund, and 1% have used it
22% are aware of NHS Healthy Starts, but none have used it
20% are aware of social tariffs for water or broadband, and 2% have used them
19% are aware of discretionary housing payment, but none have used it
1% are aware of other sources of support, and 1% have used them
12% are not aware of any of these and 83% have not used any sources of support

Sex

Males are less likely to be aware of, or use, any of these sources of support.

Females are more aware of all sources of support, and heavier users of most, particularly Universal Credit (8%), free school meals (6%) and help with childcare costs (6%).

Age

Usage of all sources of support is highest amongst those aged 35-44.

Disability

Those with a disability are more likely to use all these sources of support, bar help with childcare costs.

Ethnic group

Awareness of these sources of support tends to be higher amongst those from a White ethnic group, whereas those using free school meals (13%), help with childcare costs (7%), social tariffs for water or broadband (7%) and the council tax support scheme (5%) are more likely to be from ethnic minority groups.

Household income

Awareness of the different sources of support is better amongst the higher income brackets.

However, except for help with childcare costs, usage of these sources of support is highest amongst those in the lowest income bracket.

Housing status

Those who rent from the local authority are more likely to use all these sources of support, bar help with childcare costs.

Those who own their own property are least likely to use any of these sources of support.