Cost of Living and welcoming places

Support from the Council

Information on the Welfare Support Service, the Local Welfare Provision Scheme and Household Support Fund.


Welfare Support Service

The Welfare Support Service is the first point of contact for money advice in South Tyneside.

They provide debt, benefit and money advice on the phone, in your local area or if necessary, in your home.

The service is free, impartial and confidential.

Welfare Support Service


Support through the Local Welfare Provision Scheme

You may be eligible for support through our Local Welfare Provision Scheme.

Funding for this scheme has been increased using money from the Household Support Fund.

This scheme provides short term financial help if you have a financial crisis or need help with your daily living expenses because you are experiencing exceptional hardship.

You will need to apply for this fund to check if you are eligible.

Applications will be considered on a case by case basis. You will need to provide proof of your circumstances.

Support is provided in the form of vouchers that you can use for food and energy.

Apply for the Local Welfare Provision Scheme


Household Support Fund

South Tyneside Council is working closely with partners on how to allocate a new round of Household Support Funding from Government for April 2025 to March 2026.

The fund for 2024 / 2025 finished on 31 March 2025. For information on how it was used, see Household support fund.