Households given £100 cash before March – check eligibility | Personal Finance | Finance
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, a number of Government schemes are helping households across the country with their bills. The Household Support Fund, which is funded by the Government and managed by local councils, is coming to an end on March 31, 2026, giving families only a few weeks to claim payments they may be entitled to. The nature of the payments is managed differently depending on which council area you are in.
Anyone struggling with costs this winter is urged to contact their local council to see if they are eligible for the payment before it’s too late. The DWP hands out money to local councils, who then decide how to use it to support locals. In Cheshire East, for example, £100 vouchers are being handed out to couples and two-parent families to support with grocery bills. There is also an extra £20 being given out per child in each family.
Single individuals are eligible for £60, while single-parent households receive £60 plus £20 for each child. Additionally, £100 support for energy bills is available to single people, couples, and both one-parent and two-parent families. People can find out if they’re eligible here.
Households must be able to prove they are financially vulnerable to receive the payment.
Between April 2025 and December 2025, Cheshire East Council provided £3million in essential support, including 5,000 food vouchers, 4,500 energy vouchers, and transport costs for young people to help them stay in education.
Brits who think they are eligible should email their local council to find out the next steps.
The Household Support Fund is managed differently around the country, but it is generally used to help people with the same costs, such as bills and food.
Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said: “The Household Support Fund has been a lifeline for thousands of our residents during some of the toughest times. No one in Cheshire East should ever feel they have to struggle alone. As we move to the new Crisis Resilience Fund, we will continue working together with our voluntary and community partners to make sure every resident who needs help with food, bills, or essential support gets it quickly.”
In Portsmouth, households can get up to £200 right now to help with energy or water bills. The payment starts at £150 for single-person households, rising to £200 for couples or families.
However, you must apply by 12 noon on February 26 and meet the eligibility criteria.
