The Household Support Fund was a government programme that gave local councils in England money to help low-income households with food, energy bills and other essentials. It ran from October 2021 to 31 March 2026, delivering close to 3 billion pounds to councils across seven funding rounds. From 1 April 2026, the scheme was replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, a three-year programme that your local council now administers.
Household Support Fund Eligibility Checker
Quick check to see if you may qualify for council support through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, the replacement for the Household Support Fund.
What Was the Household Support Fund?
The Department for Work and Pensions launched the Household Support Fund in October 2021 as an emergency response to rising living costs. The government gave ring-fenced grants to county councils and unitary authorities in England, and those councils distributed the money directly to residents who needed help covering basic expenses.
The fund went through seven rounds. Its final round ran from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and was worth £742 million, announced by the Chancellor on 30 October 2024. Over the full lifetime of the programme, approximately £3.5 billion was distributed in total (including amounts passed to devolved nations through the Barnett formula), with England receiving close to £3 billion.
There was no single national application form. Each council designed its own scheme, set its own eligibility thresholds and decided how much to award individual households. Some councils paid fixed sums through supermarket vouchers. Others offered variable cash awards based on household size and circumstances. The help you received depended on where you lived and what your council chose to prioritise.
Councils could identify households in two ways. They could proactively target support using Department for Work and Pensions data on Universal Credit claimants, Pension Credit recipients and other benefit groups. They could also accept direct applications from residents. Most councils used both methods.
What the Fund Covered
Councils could spend the fund on two types of support. Crisis support paid for immediate needs such as food, fuel and clothing. Preventative support funded services like debt advice, budgeting help and employment training that aimed to stop households from falling into hardship again.
Mortgage payments were explicitly excluded. Housing support was available only where existing schemes, specifically Housing Benefit, Universal Credit housing costs and Discretionary Housing Payments, did not fully cover the shortfall. Historic rent arrears could be paid only in genuine emergencies.
| Category | Examples of eligible spending |
|---|---|
| Food | Supermarket vouchers, food bank referrals, community kitchen meals |
| Energy | Gas, electricity, oil, solid fuel, prepayment meter top-ups |
| Water | Water and sewerage bill payments |
| Housing costs | Rent shortfalls (not mortgages), deposits in limited cases |
| Clothing and hygiene | Clothing, shoes, period products, toiletries |
| Digital and transport | Broadband, phone bills, travel costs to work or appointments |
| Energy efficiency | Insulation, draught excluders, replacement white goods |
Who Was Eligible for the Household Support Fund
The government did not publish a fixed national list of who qualified. Councils had full discretion to decide based on local need. In practice, the fund reached low-income households whether or not they were receiving benefits.
Priority groups typically included families with children of all ages, pensioners on low incomes, disabled people facing extra costs, unpaid carers, care leavers and larger families. Single-person households also qualified in many council areas.
People with no recourse to public funds were generally ineligible for direct payments. However, councils could use alternative legal powers, such as Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 or Section 18 of the Care Act 2014, to provide support where safeguarding duties applied.
There was no mandatory means test. The government guidance told councils to avoid creating barriers that would stop people from applying and to make schemes accessible through more than just online forms.
How to Get Help Now: The Crisis and Resilience Fund
Since the Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026, the same type of help is now delivered through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This runs for three years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, giving councils more stability than the old system of short-term extensions that were confirmed just months before the previous round expired.
The CRF is built around four parts. Crisis Payment provides direct cash or vouchers for people facing a sudden financial shock, with urgent requests targeted for processing within 48 hours. Housing Payment replaces the old Discretionary Housing Payments and covers rent shortfalls, deposits, rent in advance and removal costs. Resilience Services fund longer-term help such as debt advice, benefit checks, budgeting support and employment training. Community Coordination helps councils connect different local services so that people do not fall through gaps between organisations.
To apply, contact your local council. Find yours at gov.uk/find-local-council and enter your postcode. Look for pages about cost of living support or the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Councils must offer at least two ways to apply, typically online and by telephone. Many also accept walk-in visits or referrals from charities and voluntary organisations.
You do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify. Someone else, such as a family member, friend or charity worker, can apply on your behalf. Receiving support does not affect your existing benefit payments.
| Feature | HSF (ended March 2026) | CRF (from April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Extended 6-12 months at a time | Fixed three-year settlement (2026-2029) |
| Final annual funding (England) | £742 million | Approximately £1 billion per year |
| Structure | Single flexible grant | Four components (Crisis, Housing, Resilience, Community) |
| Housing support | Ran alongside DHPs | Replaces DHPs entirely from Year 1 |
| Minimum application routes | Council-dependent | At least two routes required |
| Urgent processing target | No set target | 48 hours for urgent needs |
Support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Both the Household Support Fund and the Crisis and Resilience Fund apply only to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own separate schemes.
In Scotland, the Scottish Welfare Fund provides Crisis Grants for emergencies such as losing your home or escaping domestic abuse, and Community Care Grants to help you live independently or leave care. Apply through your local council.
In Wales, the Discretionary Assistance Fund offers Emergency Assistance Payments for urgent costs like food and fuel, and Individual Assistance Payments for essential household items. Apply online or by phone through the Welsh Government.
In Northern Ireland, the Discretionary Support scheme provides grants and loans for people in financial hardship. Apply through nidirect.gov.uk or your local Jobs and Benefits office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Household Support Fund still available? No. The Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026 after seven rounds of funding. It was replaced on 1 April 2026 by the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Contact your local council to apply for the new fund.
How do I apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund? Go to gov.uk/find-local-council, enter your postcode and visit your council's website. Look for pages about cost of living support or the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Most councils accept online forms and telephone applications. A charity worker or family member can also apply on your behalf.
Do I need to be receiving benefits to get help? No. You do not need to be on any benefit to qualify. The fund targets people on low incomes who are struggling with essential costs, regardless of benefit status. Receiving support does not affect your existing benefit payments.
How much money can I receive from the fund? There is no fixed national amount. Each council sets its own award levels based on local need and available budget. Awards may come as cash, bank transfers or vouchers. Contact your council to find out what it offers in your area.
Can I get help with rent or housing costs? Yes. The Crisis and Resilience Fund includes a Housing Payment component that covers rent shortfalls, deposits, rent in advance and removal costs. This has replaced the old Discretionary Housing Payments scheme. Mortgage payments are not covered.
What evidence do I need to apply? Requirements vary by council. You will usually need to confirm your identity, address and financial situation. Some councils accept a self-declaration of hardship, while others ask for bank statements or benefit letters. If you are in urgent need of food or energy, councils are expected to process your application quickly rather than hold it up for paperwork.
What if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? The Crisis and Resilience Fund is for England only. Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund (apply via your council), Wales has the Discretionary Assistance Fund (apply online or by phone) and Northern Ireland has the Discretionary Support scheme (apply through nidirect.gov.uk). Each scheme has its own rules and application process.
Related Calculators
Universal Credit Entitlement Calculator | Pension Credit Calculator | Council Tax Reduction Calculator | Warm Home Discount Guide
Related Guides
Official Sources
Figures are based on 2026/27 published UK government rates. This guide is general information only and not financial advice. Last checked September 2026.
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