Cost of living payments worth as much as £300 are still available to UK households – but only until April.
The Household Support Fund is officially ending on March 31, 2026, to be replaced by a new DWP funded scheme called the Crisis Resilience Fund.
The existing HSF scheme, now entering its final days, sees the DWP send funds to local councils across the UK for the authorities to distribute to those in need as they see fit. The CRF will work in a similar way, but it is not yet known what councils will give out or how they will set their eligibility.
But right now, local authorities each have their own published set of eligibility criteria for the HSF, as well as a different amount of money they will give out. Right now, Doncaster Council is offering up to £300 to households with three or more children, or payments of £100 to parents with one child and £200 for two children, as long as they are claiming Child Benefit for the child.
The council is also paying £100 to households ‘with or without children’ to help with energy bills if they qualify for Housing Benefit, a council tax reduction, Universal Credit including the housing element, or means tested free school meals.
Doncaster Council said: “The Government has provided further Household Support Funding to Local Authorities for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 to support those households most in need with payments towards food, household energy bills and wider essentials.
“If you are eligible for an automatic payment, or you successfully apply between now and July, payment will be made as follows.
- Food; Payment will be made to eligible households with children on or around 15 July 2025.
- Energy; Payment will be made to eligible households on or around 15 December 2025.
- New eligible applications made after the above dates, will be processed and paid within 2 weeks of receipt, or as soon as possible thereafter.
“If you received a payment under the previous Household Support Fund and we have been able to verify that you still meet the above criteria, you will automatically get these payments and do not need to apply. Payment will be made directly into your bank account using the information you previously provided.
“You only need to contact us if your bank account has changed since your previous award. If we previously paid you by cheque, you will be sent a cheque again unless you provide us with your bank details.”
But the scheme will close on March 31, so you only have a few more days to get your application in.
Every local authority decides how to spend the money given to it by the DWP for the scheme, so has its own rules and gives out different amounts.
Some councils stipulate that they will give the money to those on benefits, but you don’t necessarily need to be claiming any benefits to qualify for support according to the government’s own rules on Household Support Fund eligibility.
The UK government’s website says: “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.
“Councils decide how to run their schemes. There may be differences in eligibility criteria, if or how you need to apply, who money is given to.
“For example, some councils share out money through local charities and community groups and some limit household applications to one per year.”
Check here to see if you can apply before the deadline where you live.
