Is the Household Support Fund still running?

For people in England looking for emergency help with food, bills or essentials.

Applies to: England Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

No. The Household Support Fund ran in England until 31 March 2026.

From April 2026 the government replaced it with the Crisis and Resilience Fund, run by local councils.
The new fund also takes in Discretionary Housing Payments in England.
You do not have to be on benefits to ask your council for help.
Funding for the new fund is confirmed until 31 March 2029.

Different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund and Wales has the Discretionary Assistance Fund.
Northern Ireland has Discretionary Support.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Wales: Check gov.wales for Wales
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Ended 31 March 2026
Replaced by Crisis and Resilience Fund
Run by local councils in England
No need to be on benefits

What the Household Support Fund was

The Household Support Fund gave money to county councils and unitary councils in England so they could help people struggling with essentials like food and energy. It started in October 2021 and was extended several times. The last round ran from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, with £742 million shared between councils.

Each council decided who got help and how, so support looked different from place to place.

What replaced it

From 1 April 2026, the Crisis and Resilience Fund took over in England. The government describes it as a £1 billion package that replaces the Household Support Fund and folds in Discretionary Housing Payments. Funding is confirmed until 31 March 2029.

	Household Support Fund	Crisis and Resilience Fund
Dates	October 2021 to 31 March 2026	1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
Who runs it	Local councils in England	Local councils in England
Help with rent	Separate Discretionary Housing Payments	Included as Housing Payments
Who sets the rules	Each council	Each council, with cash first but not cash only

What the new fund can pay for

Crisis Payments can cover food, water, housing costs, period and hygiene products, energy, clothing, essential furniture and appliances, essential travel costs, and digital and connectivity essentials.

Housing Payments can cover rent deposits, rent in advance, removal costs, and gaps between your housing support and your actual rent. These are for people entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

Councils also run longer-term Resilience Services to help people get back on their feet.

Who can get help

The fund is for low-income households hit by a financial shock.
You do not have to be on benefits. People in work can get help too.
Each council sets its own rules, including what counts as a low income locally.
People with no recourse to public funds usually cannot get help from it, with some limited exceptions.

How to ask for help

Contact your local council.
Councils must accept applications all year round.
They must offer at least two ways to apply, for example online and by phone.

Getting help will not affect your benefits.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Nation	Scheme	Key points
Scotland	Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grants	For people on a low income facing an emergency, such as a fire, flood or loss of money. Apply to your council. One-off payments, not long-term income
Wales	Discretionary Assistance Fund	Emergency Assistance Payments for food, energy or emergency travel, and Individual Assistance Payments for essential items. Grants you do not pay back
Northern Ireland	Discretionary Support	In any 12 months, up to 3 loans, 1 grant for living expenses and 1 grant for household items. Combined income must be £29,741.40 a year or less. Call 0800 587 2750. Ask for a review within 28 days if refused

Related guides

Where this comes from

DWP: Household Support Fund guidance for local councils
DWP: Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance for local authorities in England
DWP: £1 billion resilience fund announcement
GOV.UK: Get help with the cost of living from your local council
mygov.scot: Crisis Grants
Welsh Government: Discretionary Assistance Fund
nidirect: Discretionary Support

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Find help from your council

Common questions

What replaced the Household Support Fund?

The Crisis and Resilience Fund, from April 2026. It replaces the Household Support Fund and brings in Discretionary Housing Payments.

How do I apply for help now?

Contact your local council. Each council runs its own scheme and rules.

Will council help affect my benefits?

No. Help from your council's cost of living support will not affect your benefits.

Official sources

1.Household Support Fund: guidance for local councilswww.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils
2.£1 billion resilience fund announcement (DWP)www.gov.uk/government/news/1-billion-resilience-fund-and-next-step-towards-removal-of-two-child-limit-provide-safety-net-for-families
3.Get help with the cost of living from your local councilwww.gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council
4.nidirect: Discretionary Supportwww.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/discretionary-support

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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