'Cash pot' worth £842m due to close for applications from families within weeks

Families are currently able to apply for extra help towards their household bills – but not for long

A cash boost that's helped millions of families across the UK is soon coming to an end – with low-income families urged to get their applications in before it's too late.

The government's Household Support Fund (HSF) is an £842 million pot of money that's given to local councils to help families and local causes in their area.

Some councils are opting to give out one-off cash grants, while others are offering supermarket vouchers, money off energy bills and more. You can find out how your local council is distributing their allocation of the cash here.

But the HSF is set to end completely on 31 March 2024.

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What is the HSF?

The HSF is a cash boost for families who are struggling to pay their bills amid a Cost of Living crisis, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and 

Payments, or vouchers, cover a range of essential household living costs including energy bills and food costs and families don't necessarily need to be claiming benefits in order to get the help.

The amount of support and how you'll receive it varies from council to council. You can see a list of some of the support available, broken down by area here. Or contact your local council to see what's available in your area.

Who can get the help?

Eligibility for the scheme varies from council to council and each one can allocate their own criteria.

However, in general, a household might need to prove they have a need for the financial help and often provide evidence too.

Some councils may also stipulate that applicants are getting certain benefits or other help such as Universal Credit or free school meals.

The government's website states: '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.'

You may need to apply for the help or it may be given to you automatically.

For example, those claiming help towards their child's school uniform or food bills may be identified through their child's school.

What help is usually given out?

The financial assistance is usually given out in the form of help towards:

• energy and water bills
• food
• essential items

The government advises: 'The expectation is that The Fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support government has recently made available but who are nevertheless in need and who require crisis support.'

Recent examples of how the HSF has helped low-income families include in Medway, Kent, where families are to be given up to £210 worth of financial assistance through supermarket vouchers, as well as an additional £100 per school-aged child to pay for uniform costs.

Households in this area can claim also additional help towards their energy and water bills, as well as other essential costs.

In Dudley, West Midlands, families who are struggling financially can apply for financial help worth £250 to help towards bills and other essential household costs.

Meanwhile, low-income families in Waverley, Surrey could get grants of up to £550 from their local council that can be used to pay for food, gas and electric bills, water bills and more. Grants can also be given out to help pay for a child's school uniform.

And in Birmingham, a £200 payment scheme for families is to reopen soon after pausing due to high demand.

However, these are just a few examples of the help that's out there for families, as similar schemes are running across the country.

You can find out exactly what's available in your area by contacting your local council. Find details of your council here.

When will the HSF end?

First set up in 2021, the HSF was extended twice between March 2022 and March 2023, before being extended once again to cover the financial year 2023/2024 in November 2022.

The scheme will close for good on 31 March 2024, but some councils will close their schemes early if they receive a high number of applications before this date.

No further plans to extend the scheme for the next financial year have been announced.

However, many are calling for it to be extended into the next financial year.

Councillor Pete Marland, chair of the Local Government Association's economy and resources board said: 'Councils are united in the view the Household Support Fund must be continued beyond the end of March for at least a year.

'Demand for local welfare support remains at record levels with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptionally high relative to income and continuing to rise.'

More financial help

Need further help and advice? You'll find details on all the benefits and entitlements you may be able to claim via the Netmums' Cost of Living hub.

There you'll find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.

There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.

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