Thousands of people could get up to £500 in cost of living help – if they fulfil certain criteria.
Years of stubbornly high inflation – how much prices have increased – have left everything from bread to household bills more expensive.
But the government has several schemes that can give struggling families extra support.
Among them is the Household Support Fund (HSF), which has been quietly extended into 2026.
The one-off payment is for people struggling to pay for their energy and water bills, food and other essential items.
Support can range from cash to top up your gas meter to food vouchers.
How to apply for DWP’s cost of living payments?
People can apply for the support through their local council website.
You can find out what your council is using this GOV.UK webpage.
If you are being supported by someone, like a social worker or an advice service, they can also make a referral on your behalf.
If you can’t apply yourself, people can ask a family member, friend or neighbour to do so on there behalf.
Computers at local libraries can also be used.
While the scheme will be open for about a year, some councils will have weeks-long windows where people can apply.
What date is the next cost of living payment?
The next round of HSF scheme funding will be available until March 31, 2026.
Though, the details of it are still being finalised in some areas, such as Kent, Hampshire or Leicestershire.
It’s best to check your local council website.
Who is eligible for the £500 one-off payment?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gives each council some of the HSF cash, leaving it up to the councils to decide who can qualify.
Typically, how much people can receive is based on their income, household size and other vulnerabilities.
But anyone who lives in the local area, is 18 or over and has recently or is experiencing hardship can generally apply.
Officials in some parts of the UK, like in Southampton, offer HSF to people aged 16.
You don’t need to be on benefits to be eligible for the money. Neither will being on welfare impact your application for HSF.
The fund is sometimes offered as a lump sum.
Others, like Croydon, south London, for example, offer it as vouchers. Croydon council also asks people to include ‘evidence’ in their applications, such as bank statements or recent bills.
Here are examples of the support being offered:
Worcestershire
Vulnerable people living in Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest can apply for up to £500 in support.
To be eligible, someone in the household must be on benefits, have a long-term illness or disability, be a carer, or have recently experienced a crisis.
The £500 can be given to energy providers, credited to an online portal or used as Post Office vouchers.
West Sussex
The council says groups that can apply include: low-income households, families of children with disabilities, care leavers, carers or people with ‘no recourse’ to public funds.
Medway
The HSF pot is dished out as supermarket, school uniform vouchers, as well as energy cards and referrals for vouchers.
Household essential vouchers:
- Single person: £65
- Household with 2 people: £85
- Household with 3 people: £115
- Household with 4 people: £155
- Household with 5 people: £190
- Household with 6 or more people: £225.
School inform vouchers and gas and water bill support can be up to £100.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
HSF is managed by the council and Citizens Advice, offering some households up to £300 in support through two £150 vouchers.
There are four windows to apply:
- From now until 4.30pm on July 4
- 9am July 21 to 4.30pm on September 21
- 9am September 29 to 4.30pm on November 21
- 9am December 8 to 4.30pm January 30
Cambridgeshire
Financial support from the county council comes in different forms.
Families can receive £15 vouchers for each of their eligible children to help cover food costs.
While the ‘financial award’ scheme is a sum of £110 split up as vouchers, including PayPoint cashout vouchers or supermarket coupons.
Salford
The deadline for HSF – which comes as shopping vouchers or fuel metre top-ups of up to £200 – is September 30.
North Somerset
The council is handing out £100 food vouchers for each child entitled to free school meals in June.
There’s no need to apply for this – schools will automatically send them to families.
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