If you’re struggling to pay for essentials like food, energy, or water, your local council may be able to help. One of the main ways they do this is through the Household Support Fund, a government-backed scheme to support people who are vulnerable or facing financial hardship.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is money given by the UK Government to local councils in England to help residents cover the cost of essentials.
Each council decides how to distribute the funding, but it can include:
- Help with energy and water bills.
- Vouchers or payments for food and essential household items.
- In some areas, school holiday food vouchers for families with children.
- In exceptional cases, help with housing costs where other support doesn’t meet the need.
The 2025–26 guidance also allows support for a broader range of essentials, such as phone or broadband bills, clothing, essential transport costs, or energy-efficient household items like small appliances that help reduce energy use.
Councils can also use part of the fund for preventative support, such as funding warm spaces, community kitchens, or debt and benefits advice services, helping people before they reach crisis point. The scheme is time-limited but has been extended several times. The current round of funding runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Who Can Get Help?
The fund is designed to support people and families who are struggling financially, especially with the rising cost of living.
- You don’t need to be on benefits to apply.
- If you do receive benefits, getting HSF support won’t affect them.
- Each council sets its own eligibility rules, so criteria may vary.
- Support is discretionary and may be limited, for example, some councils allow only one payment per household per year or stop accepting applications when funds run out.
While anyone in financial hardship can apply, councils often prioritise low-income households, pensioners, families with children, and people with disabilities or health conditions.
(Note: The scheme applies to councils in England. If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, check your devolved government’s cost-of-living support options.)
How to Apply
Because each local council runs the scheme differently, the application process depends on where you live.
Support may be:
- Distributed directly by the council through an online form or phone helpline.
- Given out via local charities, schools, or community groups.
- Provided as cash payments, food vouchers, or help with bills and household essentials.
To apply:
- Visit your local council’s website and search for “Household Support Fund”.
- If you can’t find it online, call your council or contact Citizens Advice for help applying.
Be prepared to provide details about your income, household situation, and what kind of help you need.
Other Support Your Council May Offer
If you need more help beyond the Household Support Fund, your local council might also provide:
- Council Tax Reduction – If you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may be able to reduce your council tax bill.
- Discretionary Housing Payments – Extra financial help with rent if Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn’t cover it.
- Local welfare assistance or crisis grants – Emergency support for urgent needs such as food, energy, or essential household goods.
- Help with school meals and uniforms – In some areas, extra support is available for families with children.
Extra Help with Energy and Heating Costs
If you’re finding energy bills difficult to manage, you may also qualify for help through national energy-efficiency schemes, including:
- ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) – Free insulation and heating upgrades for eligible households.
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) – Support for insulation improvements to make homes warmer and reduce bills.
If you’re living with a health condition, disability, or simply struggling to keep up with rising energy costs, improving your home’s efficiency can make a big difference. You can use our free Eligibility checker to see if you could access funding for insulation or heating improvements.
Where to Find Out More
- Visit your local council’s website for the latest Household Support Fund information and application details.
- Use a free benefits checker such as Turn2us or Entitledto to see what other support you may be entitled to.
- Contact Citizens Advice or a local charity for free, confidential guidance.
- Check the government’s official page: Get help with the cost of living from your local council
Support varies between councils, so always check what’s available in your area. The Household Support Fund is time-limited, but while it’s running, it’s there to help people just like you.
Don’t Forget
If you’d like to see whether you’re eligible for ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), it’s free, quick to check, and could help make your home cheaper to run. Click here to check your eligibility.
People Also Ask
Can I apply for a Household Support Fund?
Yes, the Household Support Fund (HSF) is intended for people who are struggling with essential costs such as food, energy, or household bills. You don’t have to be on benefits to apply. In most cases an HSF award doesn’t affect your benefits because it is treated as local welfare assistance. If you’re unsure how a payment is treated, your council or a welfare adviser can confirm.
How many times can you claim the Household Support Fund?
This varies by council. Some councils only allow one award per household during a funding period, while others may allow more than one. Each scheme is set locally, so you’ll need to check your council’s rules. They will explain any limits that apply.
Is HSF still available?
The fund is time-limited and renewed in set periods, and each council decides when to open and close applications. Availability can change depending on national decisions and local allocations. The safest option is to check your council’s website for current dates. They will confirm whether applications are open right now.
What is the Household Support Fund from the DWP?
The Household Support Fund is a government scheme funded through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and delivered by local councils. It is designed to help vulnerable households with essential living costs. Councils run their own schemes under national guidance. This means details can vary between areas.
How much is the HSF payment?
Amounts differ widely between councils because each area sets its own policy. Awards can depend on your circumstances and the type of support available locally. Help may be given as a one-off payment, vouchers, or in-kind assistance such as food or energy support. Your council’s scheme will outline what they offer.
How long does it take to receive HSF?
Processing times vary by council and can change depending on demand. Some councils aim to make decisions within a short period, but it may take longer if they need extra evidence or are receiving a high volume of applications. Priority may be given to urgent or first-time cases. Your council will usually explain expected timeframes.
Who is eligible for the Household Support Fund?
Eligibility is set locally, but it typically focuses on households with a low income or anyone struggling to meet essential costs. Councils may prioritise certain groups, such as families, pensioners, or disabled residents. You will usually need to show that you’re having difficulty with essential expenses. Check your council’s scheme for exact criteria.
What costs can the Household Support Fund help with?
What the fund covers depends on each council’s policy. Many schemes help with essentials such as food, energy, and water, and some may offer support with other necessary items. Certain councils might also help with things like broken appliances or limited housing-related costs where no other support applies. Always check your local scheme for the types of help available
Will getting HSF affect my benefits?
In most cases, an HSF payment does not affect your benefits because it is treated as local welfare assistance. Councils typically administer it separately from means-tested benefits. If you’re unsure about how a payment will be treated, your council or a welfare adviser can clarify. It’s always fine to ask for reassurance.
What happens if my council runs out of HSF funding?
Councils receive a fixed allocation for each funding period, and once it’s spent, applications may close early. If this happens, you may need to wait until the next period opens. Your council may signpost other local support such as welfare schemes or discretionary payments. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Useful Resources:
- Find Your Local Council
- Citizens Advice
- Turn2Us
- Entitledto
- Get Help with the Cost of Living from Your Local Council
Cost of Living Support Available:
- Household Support Fund (England)
- Cost of Living Payments
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
- Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
- Council Tax Reduction
ECO4 Support Available:
- Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Energy Company Obligation
- Ofgem, Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery V1.1
- Ofgem, Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- UK Government, Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
- Which? Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Other Support Available:
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