Household Support Fund

What we can help with

The level of discretionary relief awarded will be capped at £2000.00 per household to ensure as many people as possible are supported. You can apply for more than one form of support subject to the stated limits.

The more detailed explanation you provide, the quicker we will be able to make a decision. For clarity, there are limits on the funds available for each category.

Winter Fuel Payment

Those over the age of 66, ineligible for Pension Credit will no longer receive a Winter Fuel payment. Applicants who can prove they have claimed Pension Credit since 1st August 2024, and it has been unsuccessful will be eligible for a one-off total payment of either:

  • £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
  • £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944

Anyone receiving this payment would not be able to eligible for any other utility bill costs from this scheme.

Type of support Comments

Food (support with food shopping)

£80.00 per household with children

£50.00 per household without children

  • No more than 1 Hugg Groceries voucher per calendar month

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their household income is below £38,300 per year and have savings of less than £6,000

The following information must be supplied:

  • National Insurance number
  • latest two consecutive months bank/building society statements for all accounts held in the household. These must clearly show:
  • name(s) of the account holder
  • all transactions (including income, fuel bills, rent and regular payments where possible)
  • sufficient evidence to prove that the household income is below £38,300 per year and has less than £6,000 in savings.  

Utility bills where non-payment would cause enforcement action: energy bills for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders or water bills 

If you have arrears on your utility bill we might be able to help if you send in a or meter reading bill dated in the last 30 days.

Up to £150.00 for electricity, gas or water.

  • No more than 1 payment to be made in each calendar month
  • You must show that any previous payment has been used to pay your arrears, before another payment will be issued
  • Each application must be accompanied by a utility bill dated in the last 30 days and show that any previous payments of the Fund have been used to reduce the arrears.
  • Those on prepaid meters will need to provide photographic evidence of the meter and any previous payments of the Fund have been used to reduce the arrears and be given the amount shown outstanding plus £20.00.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their household income is below £38,300 per year and have savings of less than £6,000.

The following information must be supplied:

  • National Insurance number
  • latest two consecutive months bank/building society statements for all accounts held in the household. These must clearly show: 
    • name(s) of the account holder
    • all transactions (including income, fuel bills, rent and regular payments where possible)
    • sufficient evidence to prove that the household income is below £38,300 per year and has less than £6,000 in savings.  

To claim version 1 use the online form.

Apply for Grant