Household Support Fund and other cost-of-living help from your council

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Quick answer

In England, the Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026 and has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. It’s run by your local council and can help low-income households facing a financial shock with things like food, energy, clothing and essential appliances, usually as cash or vouchers. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own crisis funds. Apply through your council’s website or phone line, and ask about Council Tax Reduction and other local help at the same time.

This guide explains the official framework. Every council runs its own scheme, so the details where you live will differ. It isn’t financial advice.

What happened to the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund (HSF) was a temporary fund given to councils in England to help households with essential costs. From 1 April 2026, the government replaced it, along with Discretionary Housing Payments, with a single longer-term fund: the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). Government guidance for councils says the CRF covers 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 and applies in England only.

Some councils still use the “Household Support Fund” name on their websites or have kept old pages up, so if you search for it you may land on your council’s CRF page.

What the Crisis and Resilience Fund can help with

The government guidance sets out three strands:

Strand	What it’s for	Who can get it
Crisis Payments	Help when a financial shock leaves you unable to cover essentials	Low-income households; councils set their own definition of low income, and you don’t have to be on benefits
Housing Payments	Rent shortfalls, rent in advance, deposits and removal costs (replacing Discretionary Housing Payments)	People entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with a housing costs element
Resilience Services	Advice, income maximisation, savings and financial education	Often delivered with local voluntary organisations

What Crisis Payments can cover

According to the guidance, crisis support can include:

• Food and water
• Energy costs
• Clothing
• Period and hygiene products
• Essential transport costs
• Broadband or phone bills
• Essential furniture and appliances, such as beds, washing machines, fridge-freezers and cookers

How it’s paid

Councils are told to take a “cash-first” approach, such as a bank transfer or cash-out voucher, but the guidance says cash-first doesn’t mean cash-only. You might get supermarket or energy vouchers, or goods such as an appliance, where that suits your situation better.

How to apply

• Apply through your local council or a partner organisation it works with.
• Councils must offer at least two ways to apply, for example online, by phone or in person.
• Applications are open all year round, not only in set windows.
• Someone can apply on your behalf, such as a relative, friend, appointee or support worker.
• The guidance says councils should aim to make urgent Crisis Payments within 48 hours of a complete application.

Find your council on gov.uk using your postcode, then search its site for “Crisis and Resilience Fund”, “crisis support” or “local welfare”.

What to have ready when you apply

Each council asks for different things, but it helps to have these to hand:

• Your National Insurance number and details of any benefits you get
• Recent bank statements or payslips
• Your tenancy agreement or rent details if you’re asking for housing help
• Recent bills you’re struggling with, such as an energy bill or a prepayment meter top-up history
• A short explanation of what’s happened, such as a job loss, a delayed benefit payment or a broken appliance

If you don’t have everything, apply anyway and explain what’s missing. Councils can often help you work out what’s needed.

Help in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

• Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) offers emergency payments and help with essential household items. Apply via gov.wales.
• Scotland: the Scottish Welfare Fund, run by councils, offers Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Apply via your council or mygov.scot.
• Northern Ireland: check nidirect for Discretionary Support and other help.

Other help your council may offer

The crisis fund isn’t the only local support. Ask about:

• Council Tax Reduction. If you’re on a low income or benefits, you could pay less council tax. Apply to your council.
• Council Tax discounts. For example, a single person discount if you’re the only adult living in your home.
• Free school meals and uniform grants. Rules vary by nation and council.
• Warm spaces and food support. Many councils list local food banks, community larders and warm spaces on their websites.
• Energy advice. Some councils fund local energy advice services or insulation schemes. Gov.uk’s “find ways to save energy in your home” service lists national grants.

National help to check at the same time

• Benefits check. Use one of the free, anonymous calculators listed on gov.uk to see if you’re missing any benefits.
• Pension Credit. If you’re over State Pension age on a low income, Pension Credit can also unlock help with energy, housing and council tax.
• Healthy Start. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and meet the other conditions (check the NHS Healthy Start site), you may get money on a card for milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses (Best Start Foods in Scotland).
• Winter energy payments. See our guide to the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment.
• Energy supplier help. Ofgem says suppliers must help if you ask, for example with a repayment plan.

Make your money go further

While you’re sorting out support, small changes can help your budget stretch:

• Plan meals around what you have. Our guide to cutting your food shopping bill covers loyalty prices, own brands and reduced-to-clear stickers.
• Batch cook and freeze portions. Browse freezer bags on Amazon or reusable food containers.
• Keep an eye on our everyday essentials page for basics at lower prices.

If you’re in debt

If bills are piling up, get free, confidential debt advice early. Citizens Advice can help you prioritise debts like rent, council tax and energy, and talk to creditors. MoneyHelper, the government-backed guidance service, can point you to free debt advice too. Avoid companies that charge for debt help you can get for free.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance for local authorities in England (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029)
• GOV.UK: Find your local council
• GOV.UK: Apply for Council Tax Reduction
• GOV.UK: Benefits calculators
• GOV.UK: Pension Credit
• GOV.UK: Find ways to save energy in your home
• GOV.WALES: Discretionary Assistance Fund
• mygov.scot: Scottish Welfare Fund
• NHS: Healthy Start
• Citizens Advice: Help with debt