Liverpool’s Citizens Support Scheme to be extended giving vital help for those in crisis

A scheme that provides essential furniture and domestic appliances to people in crisis across Liverpool is set to be extended, ensuring continued support for residents who need it most.

The ‘home needs’ element of the Citizens Support Scheme, which helps those who cannot afford to buy essential items such as a fridge, oven, sofa, or bed, has been a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable individuals and families.

Last year, the £1.4 million scheme, delivered by Liverpool-based community interest company The Furniture Resource Centre, provided 12,000 awards to residents in need.

A report to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 25 March is recommending the ‘home needs’ element of the contract is extended for a further 12 months. A fresh procurement process to award a new long-term contract will take place later in the year.

Separately, the Citizens Support Scheme also helps people with ‘urgent needs’ including food and fuel costs.

Examples of other support provided by the Council to low-income households include:

The Council Tax Support Scheme – which is one of the most generous among big ‘core’ cities and in the Liverpool City Region. It has recently been changed to give eligible households a 12 month award to provide certainty and help them budget.
In the 2025/26 budget, the Council committed to increasing the size of the Benefits Maximisation Service team by 50 per cent. Over the last year, they increased income for the most vulnerable households by £7,643,529 – up £433,583 compared to January 2024.

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Transformation, Cllr Ruth Bennett, said:

“The Citizens Support Scheme is a lifeline for thousands of low-income households in Liverpool.

“This is a scheme that is discretionary but that we choose to provide because it is absolutely vital that residents – whatever their background – have access to basic household appliances and furniture.

“It is an integral part of our work to support vulnerable households which also includes the Council Tax Support Scheme and our hugely successful Benefits Maximisation Service which ensures residents are claiming all the support they are entitled to.”