If you live in England and money is tight, some of the most useful help comes
not from central government but from your own local council. Councils run
their own hardship funds, council tax discounts and emergency support –
and because these schemes are local, what you can get and how you apply varies
from one authority to the next. This page explains the main types of local
support and how to find the scheme that covers your area.
Local crisis funds
From April 2026 councils in England run the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which
replaced the Household Support Fund that ran until 31 March 2026. It is
government money passed to your local authority to help people on low incomes
who face sudden costs – food, energy, water, or essential items. Each
council decides its own rules, so support may come as a voucher, a direct
payment or help in kind, and you usually do not have to be claiming benefits
to qualify. Check your council’s website for its current scheme, or ask
its customer services team what local welfare assistance is available.
Council tax support and reductions
If you are on a low income or claim certain benefits, you may pay less council
tax through your council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme (sometimes
called Council Tax Support). Every council in England sets its own working-age
scheme, so the amount of help differs by area. Separately, you may qualify for
a discount or exemption – for example, the single person discount, or a
reduction if someone in the home is severely mentally impaired or is a
full-time student. You apply through your local council.
Free, confidential advice
You do not have to work this out alone. Citizens Advice offers free,
independent help with benefits, debt, energy and council tax, and can check
whether you are claiming everything you are entitled to. Your council may also
fund local advice or welfare-rights services.
How to find your council’s scheme
Because these schemes are run locally, the only reliable source is your own
local authority. Search ‘[your council] cost of living support’ or
use the ‘Find your local council’ tool on GOV.UK, then look for
its hardship fund, welfare assistance and council tax reduction pages. For
more national schemes, see our
help for households hub, our guide to
grants, and
energy bill support.