Household Support Fund | Help with cost of living

With the cost of living rising at nearly the fastest rate in 40 years, the past few years have been a challenging time for many households across the UK. This is why the Government has decided to extend the Household Support Fund until 31 March 2026.

Six in ten people in the UK have had to make cuts to their usual spending due to the cost of living, according to YouGov and nearly a quarter of Britons said they often struggle to make ends meet.

What is the Household Support Fund?

People who are really struggling to afford the basic essentials such as energy and food can get financial help with this from their local council.

Families may be able to get food vouchers to help with costs during the school holidays.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is giving £742 million in funding to local authorities in England. It will also distribute funding Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so they can give direct help to people who need it most.

The Household Support Fund was originally launched in October 2021. It was set to end in September 2024 but has now been extended to 31 March 2026.

Who is eligible for the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund is for anyone who is vulnerable or is unable to pay for essentials such as food and energy. It can also be used to pay for other items including phone bills, clothing such as school uniform, period products or help with essential transport such as buying a bike or repairing a car.

• You do not have to be in receipt of benefits to be able to get financial support from your local council.

• Your benefits will not be affected if you do get a payment from the Household Support Fund.

• Councils tend to give out cash payments or vouchers towards bills.

• If you have savings it is unlikely you will qualify for support.

You will need to check with your local authority what support is available.

How do I apply for the Household Support Fund?

Your local authority runs its own scheme to distribute the Household Support Fund so each council will have different eligibility criteria and different ways to apply for it.

How does it work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Scotland

In Scotland, you can get financial assistance from the Scottish Welfare Fund in the form of Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants and from Discretionary Housing Payments.

There is also the Fuel Insecurity Fund which supports people with energy costs,

Wales

People who are struggling in Wales can claim Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential items, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items, from the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, you can get financial help from Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants

What other financial help can you get with your energy bills?

Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual lump sum given to help you to heat your home in the winter. The payment is either £200 or £300, depending on your date of birth and whether or not you live alone.

This benefit used to be offered to all people living in England and Wales if you were of State Pension age.

It is now means-tested and you are only eligible if you are of State Pension age and receive one of these benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

If you live in Scotland you may be able to get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payment is paid during the winter months to help towards the cost of heating your home or other essentials. You can get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 2025 and March 2026.

You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payment if you receive the following benefits: 

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. This is paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.

Affordable Warmth Obligation

The Affordable Warmth Obligation provides financial help towards energy-saving improvements to your home. This includes home insulation work and repairing or replacing your boiler, for example, and aims to help reduce your household costs. 

To qualify you will need to be:

• Living in social housing

Or 

• Be living in private housing and be claiming at least one of the following benefits:
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Guarantee Credit (Pension Savings Credit does not qualify)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Eco Scheme

The Eco Scheme works under the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Now in its fourth stage, referred to as ECO4, the scheme aims to help low-income households cover the cost of energy efficient home improvements.

If you claim the following benefits, you may be eligible for ECO4:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Housing Benefit (new qualifying benefit for ECO4)
• Pension Credit Savings Credit (new qualifying benefit for ECO4)

Fuel Direct Scheme

The Fuel Direct Scheme, also sometimes referred to as third party deductions, allows a person receiving benefits to agree to some of their bills being paid directly out of these benefits payments. 

This means that if you struggle with budgeting or understanding different bill payments, you can rely on the government to pay towards your bills via the benefits you are entitled to. It is also beneficial if you have fallen behind on bills as this money can be used to pay towards any accumulated debt.

To be eligible for fuel direct scheme, you will need to receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit 
• Income based
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support or Pension Credit