Overview

• The Household Support Fund (HSF), funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides financial aid for essentials like food, energy, and bills through local councils.
• The program has been extended into the 2025–2026 fiscal year, with funding available until March 31, 2026, but uptake remains uneven across regions.
• Support amounts and formats vary by council, with Worcestershire offering up to £500, Salford providing £200 energy payments, and North Somerset issuing £100 food vouchers per child.
• Birmingham City Council will reopen applications for its £200 hardship grants in June 2025, targeting residents who have not received payments in the past year.
• Eligibility criteria and application processes differ by council, with households encouraged to check local guidelines to access available support.