- The Household Support Fund ended in March 2026. In England it was brought together with other grants into the Crisis and Resilience Fund.2
- It can help if you are struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, essential items or housing costs.1
- GOV.UK: “You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.” If you do get benefits, a payment from the fund will not affect them.1
- Councils must call their schemes “Crisis Payment”, so search your council's website for that name.4
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
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What changed in April 2026
The government's finance statement for councils says the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments (in England) “will end in March 2026” and are brought together “into one new, streamlined fund”, the Crisis and Resilience Fund.2
The 2026 to 2027 grant covers 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.3
Budget 2026: “this Budget provides £100 million additional funding for local authorities in England” to give further targeted help with energy bills (announced, needs legislation). Councils decide who gets it.8
How the Crisis Payment works in England
Each unitary authority and county council “must deliver a CRF Crisis Payment scheme that offers payments to individuals in crisis.” The schemes are “cash-first and operated primarily on an application-basis.”4
GOV.UK: “Councils decide how to run their schemes.” Eligibility, whether and how you apply, and who the money is given to can differ, and some councils limit households to one application a year.1
Help with housing costs that used to come from Discretionary Housing Payments is now part of the same fund in England.4
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scotland: the Scottish Welfare Fund, through your local council. It offers Crisis Grants for an unexpected emergency and Community Care Grants to help you or someone you care for live independently. You must be 16 or over and on a low income or getting certain benefits, and the grants do not need to be paid back.5
Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund has two types of grant that you do not pay back. The Emergency Assistance Payment helps with essential costs such as food, gas, electricity, heating oil or emergency travel. GOV.WALES says you cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills you cannot afford.6
Northern Ireland: Discretionary Support, if you are in an extreme or exceptional situation or a crisis. You could be offered an interest-free loan or a grant you would not have to pay back. There is an income limit, so check nidirect, and apply to the Finance Support Service.7
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