Households not on DWP benefits can now claim £600 cost of living boost

The fund provides one-off voucher payments that can be used for groceries, gas, electricity and other basic living costs.

Applications are typically processed within around ten working days.

The scheme forms part of a wider £742million Household Support Fund allocation running from April 2025 to March 2026, with every local authority in England receiving a share to distribute to residents most in need.

Herefordshire Council has confirmed it is using its allocation to support a broad range of low-income households, with priority given to families with children, pensioners, unpaid carers and disabled people.

The programme is being administered on the council’s behalf by the Herefordshire Community Foundation, with funding provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The maximum award of £600 is significantly higher than the typical payments offered by many other councils.

In most areas, grants are capped at around £300, with some local authorities offering less than £100.

To qualify, applicants must be aged 16 or over, legally resident in the UK and living in Herefordshire.

Members of the armed forces with strong links to the county are also eligible.

The scheme is open to individuals and households who can demonstrate financial hardship and require emergency support with essential living costs.

Claiming DWP benefits is not a requirement, meaning working households who are struggling can still be considered.

Households that have already received a Household Support Fund grant within the past twelve months are not eligible for another award.

Applications cannot be made directly by individuals.

Instead, they must be submitted by a referral organisation or care professional on the applicant’s behalf.

Approved referral partners include Citizens Advice, food banks, social workers, debt advisers and employment coaches.

Payments are not made directly to applicants. Instead, funds are paid straight to utility providers or credited to pre-payment meters.

Where white goods are required, items are purchased directly from suppliers rather than issued as cash.

While awards can reach £600, the average grant issued during the 2024–25 financial year was £480.

The Household Support Fund is classed as a public fund for immigration purposes, meaning individuals with no recourse to public funds are not eligible for support.