Thousands of households across the UK could be missing out on financial support as local councils continue to offer direct help with food, energy, and essential bills.
The assistance is available through the Household Support Fund, a Government-backed scheme quietly extended into 2025 - 26.
Each council has received a portion of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions, but how this money is distributed varies significantly depending on location.
Support ranges from supermarket and energy vouchers to lump-sum payments, with eligibility based on income, family size, or other vulnerabilities.
Households could claim a £100 cost of living payments thanks to the DWP scheme GETTY Worcestershire: Up to £500 available for vulnerable residents
Worcestershire County Council is offering up to £500 in cost of living support to residents across Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest.
To qualify, households must include someone who is in receipt of benefits, has a long-term illness or disability, is a carer, or has recently experienced a crisis.
Support amounts vary depending on household size, and funds may be transferred directly to energy providers, credited via an online portal, or issued as Post Office vouchers for those with prepayment meters.
Applicants are required to submit evidence within 28 days of applying or risk losing eligibility.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Up to £300 in help for low-income families
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is offering eligible households up to £300 in support through two rounds of £150 vouchers.
The first application window runs from 12 May to 4 July, 2025, with three further rounds planned before January 2026.
Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, urged residents not to miss out: "I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply, and to make the most of the practical advice and guidance on offer."
Funding is limited and prioritised for households with the lowest incomes or most urgent needs.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Claimants of DWP support have benefited from cost of living payments PASalford: £200 energy payments and winter support for older residents
Salford City Council has confirmed it will provide £200 payments to help with energy bills, using its £4.8million share of the Household Support Fund.
Support will be targeted at those most at risk during the colder months, including older residents who may be eligible for Pension Credit but have not yet claimed it.
Last year, 92 per cent of 3,000 eligible Salford residents received payments under the same scheme. In addition to energy help, the council will distribute:
- Supermarket and energy vouchers
- Holiday food vouchers for school-age children
- Additional funding for services such as housing support and adult social care
Applications do not require claimants to be in receipt of benefits, but proof of financial hardship must be provided.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: "This funding has made a real difference to people's lives in Salford. It has helped families put food on the table, kept homes warm during winter, and ensured that children don't go hungry during the school holidays."
Since the Household Support Fund was introduced in 2021, the council has received more than 50,000 applications for assistance.
Thousands of households can apply for cost of living cash
GETTYNorth Somerset: £100 food vouchers per child
North Somerset Council is offering £100 food vouchers for each child entitled to free school meals, to be issued in June 2025. Families with more than one eligible child will receive proportionally more, for example, £200 for two children.
These vouchers will be sent out automatically by schools, with no need to apply. Residents in receipt of Council Tax Reduction will also receive £50 vouchers in both June 2025 and January 2026.
North Somerset Council has been allocated £2.3million to distribute by March 2026 under the scheme.
How to apply
Most applications for Household Support Fund help can be made directly through the relevant local council website or by phone.
Some forms of help, such as school meal vouchers, are distributed automatically, but others require residents to apply and submit evidence of hardship.
With cost of living pressures continuing into 2025, those who are struggling are encouraged to check their local council’s scheme, support worth hundreds of pounds may still be available.
