The short answer: The Household Support Fund ran from October 2021 and its last funding period ended on 31 March 2026. Since 1 April 2026, council help with essential costs in England has been the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which runs to 31 March 2029. Councils use it for Crisis Payments, which can cover energy bills, heating oil, food, water and essentials, and Housing Payments. You don’t need to be on benefits. You apply to your council, which should aim to keep Crisis Payments available all year round.
Last verified: 30 October 2026 against GOV.UK and DWP’s Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance.
What happened to the Household Support Fund?
| Period | Scheme |
|---|---|
| October 2021 to 31 March 2026 | Household Support Fund: extended several times, paid out by councils in England for food, energy and other essentials |
| 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 | Crisis and Resilience Fund: DWP said it “will replace the Household Support Fund”, and GOV.UK says council help with essential costs in England “is known as the ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’” |
The new fund is run by the Department for Work and Pensions through councils. It also took over Discretionary Housing Payments, which ended in England on 31 March 2026 and are now called Housing Payments.
Can it help with energy bills?
Yes. DWP’s guidance to councils says a Crisis Payment can support:
- energy “for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders”, including help for people facing “significant increases in energy costs, such as a large increase in heating oil prices”;
- food, water and hygiene products;
- housing costs;
- clothing, including warm winter clothing;
- essential furniture and appliances, such as beds, washing machines, fridge-freezers and ovens;
- essential transport costs and phone or broadband bills.
Crisis Payments are “cash-first”: councils should pay in cash, by bank transfer or with a cash-out voucher by default. DWP says they’re for occasional or short-term needs and “cannot provide an alternative source of regular income”.
Who can get help?
- GOV.UK says the fund “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, a payment won’t affect them.
- Each council decides its own rules, such as who qualifies, how you apply and how often. Some limit help to one application per household per year.
How to apply
- Find your council with GOV.UK’s Find your local council tool.
- Look for “Crisis Payment” on its website: DWP requires councils to use that name. For help with rent, look for “Housing Payment”.
- Apply online, by phone or in person. DWP says councils must offer at least two ways to apply and should aim to keep payments available all year.
- Ask about other help: councils are expected to refer you to services such as debt and benefits advice.
Some councils pay through local charities or community groups instead. It’s always free to apply.
Scotland and Wales
- Scotland: the Scottish Welfare Fund.
- Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund. See also energy grants in Wales.
Other help with energy bills this winter
| Help | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| £100 Household Energy Payment | Most homes in council tax bands A–D in England | From January 2027 |
| £100 million council discretionary fund | Households who miss the £100 but are struggling, including some above band D | When your council sets it up |
| £150 Warm Home Discount | Certain means-tested benefits | Winter 2026/27, credited by 31 March 2027 |
| Debt Relief Scheme | Billpayers on means-tested or disability benefits, or pensioners, with energy debt from the 2022–24 crisis who re-engage with their supplier | Due to launch in 2027 (Budget 2026) |
| 0% VAT on household electricity | Households in Great Britain (expected UK-wide from April 2027) | Until 1 July 2027 |
Grants that lower your energy bills
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: free upgrades for lower-income, privately owned homes in England, through councils with funding.
- ECO4: insulation and heating for people on qualifying benefits, until 31 December 2026.
- Energy grants for low-income households and energy grants on Universal Credit.
Beware of scams. Council crisis support is free and only your council can award it. Don’t pay anyone to apply, and don’t give bank details to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Household Support Fund: common questions
Is the Household Support Fund still running in 2026?
Not under that name in England. GOV.UK’s Household Support Fund guidance covers funding up to 31 March 2026. DWP said the “£1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund”, and GOV.UK now says council help with essential costs in England “is known as the ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’”.
What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund?
A Department for Work and Pensions scheme, funded to councils in England from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. Councils use it to give “Crisis Payments” to people facing a financial crisis, “Housing Payments” (which replaced Discretionary Housing Payments) and support to build financial resilience.
Can the Crisis and Resilience Fund help with energy bills?
Yes. DWP’s guidance says a Crisis Payment can support energy “for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders”, including help for people facing a sudden rise in energy costs.
Do I need to be on benefits?
No. GOV.UK says “You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council”, and if you do get benefits, a payment won’t affect them. The fund is aimed at people who are vulnerable or can’t pay for essentials, and each council sets its own rules.
How do I apply?
Through your local council. DWP says councils must offer at least two ways to apply (such as online, by phone or face to face) and should aim to keep payments available all year. Use GOV.UK’s Find your local council tool, then look for “Crisis Payment” on its website.
How much can I get?
There is no national amount. Each council decides what to award based on your needs. DWP says Crisis Payments are for occasional or short-term needs and “cannot provide an alternative source of regular income”.
What about Scotland and Wales?
GOV.UK says you may be able to get help from the Scottish Welfare Fund in Scotland or the Discretionary Assistance Fund in Wales.
Is this the same as the £100 Household Energy Payment?
No. The £100 Household Energy Payment is a separate one-off payment from January 2027 for most homes in council tax bands A–D in England. Councils also get a separate £100 million fund for people who miss out on the £100. See our £100 payment guide.
Can Great British Energy Guide apply for me?
No. We are an independent guide, not a council or the government. Only your council can take an application. Never pay anyone to apply for council support for you.