DWP tells struggling households to apply for fund worth up to £600 | Personal Finance | Finance
Household Support Fund for families explained
Millions of households, including struggling pensioners, are set to benefit from extra cash worth up to £600 each to cover energy bills and other living costs after the Government extended a crucial fund.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the Household Support Fund (HSF) will be extended for an extra six months from the end of this month through into next year at a total cost of £421 million.
The money is given to local councils in England and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who identify those in need and set their own criteria as to who is eligible and how much they will receive.
In some parts of the country, households with one or more adults can receive up to £300, households with one child can receive up to £500, and households with two or more children can receive up to £600.
Some councils choose to distribute the fund through local charities and community groups and some limit household applications to one per year.
Some councils choose to distribute the fund through local charities (Image: Getty)
The decision to extend the Fund will help some of the lowest income pensioners who face losing the Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth up to £300, to help with the cost of staying warm.
The DWP used X to alert struggling households to the availability of help through this winter and into next year. It posted: “Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced an extension to the #HouseholdSupportFund for the next six months.
“If you are in need of help, reach out to your local council to see what support they might be able to offer.”
The post included a link here which explained how the scheme works, who is eligible and how to contact your local council to make an application for support.
The DWP said the Fund can help if people are struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, and other essentials, adding: “Your council may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays.”
Liz Kendall said: “We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living.
“The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago – and this Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society.”
Poverty campaigners have welcomed the extension of the Fund but questioned whether it will go far enough to help the vulnerable.
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The extension of the Household Support Fund is the bare minimum the Government needed to do this winter and it is a positive first step that ministers have indicated it will continue.
“But as the Winter Fuel Payment axe plunges more pensioners into fuel poverty, the Fund may prove to be inadequate as more vulnerable older people turn to local authorities for help and assistance.
“While households wait for the long term measures to bring down energy bills to come into effect in years to come, the country needs help to stay warm this winter.
“Ministers must now look to introduce a help to repay scheme for those in energy debt, expand the Warm Home Discount and restore Winter Fuel Payments to more pensioners.”
If you are not eligible for the Household Support Fund in your local area, it is worth checking if you qualify for benefits. Figures from Policy in Practice earlier this year revealed millions of people are not claiming the extra help they are entitled to. In total, £23billion went unclaimed in the 2023/24 financial year, with £8.3billion worth of Universal Credit not claimed for.
Who the Household Support Fund is for
Funding is aimed at anyone who’s vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.
If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme.
How to make an application
Councils decide how to run their schemes. As a result, there may be differences in eligibility criteria; if or how you need to apply; who money is given to.
You can find your local council and then check with them to find out what support is available here.
Other help you can get
Check if you’re eligible for a cost of living payment here.
Check what benefits and financial support you can get here.
Get council tax support if you’re on a low income or get certain benefits here.
Get a discretionary housing payment if you’re struggling with your rent here.
A number of energy firms offer grants to struggling customers, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, speak to your supplier to see if they can give you any help.
You might also be able to get help via the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Under the scheme, suppliers have a legal obligation to implement energy-saving measures in your home.
