UK Government Extends Vital Household Support Fund with £742 Million Package for 2025-2026

Critical Support Extended for Vulnerable Households

The UK government has allocated £742 million to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support vulnerable households with essential costs through the Household Support Fund. This latest extension will cover the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Comprehensive Support Package

The Fund is specifically designed to support vulnerable households with energy, food and water costs, with support delivered through cash, vouchers or in-kind assistance. Local councils are also utilizing the Fund beyond emergency support, working with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes, and items to improve energy efficiency in the home.

Local Authority Implementation

Local authorities have been given discretion on how to identify and support vulnerable households, and are encouraged to work collaboratively with District Councils and third parties, including local charities and community groups. It is mandatory for authorities to make their plans public through dedicated website pages titled ‘Household Support Fund’, detailing how and when people can apply for support.

Accessibility and Eligibility

Importantly, recipients do not need to be receiving benefits to make an application, and current benefits will not be affected by support from the scheme. The support typically comes as a one-off award per household per funding round, with many authorities offering £150 that can be provided as an energy card, supermarket voucher, or council tax account credit.

Future Outlook

The extension of the Fund prevents councils and vulnerable households from experiencing an immediate cliff edge of support with a challenging winter ahead. Recipients should note that these payments are not loans and will never need to be repaid, nor do they affect eligibility for any other benefits.