When is the Household Support Fund available in 2026?
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In short: It is no longer available: the Household Support Fund's final period ended on 31 March 2026. In England, the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced it from 1 April 2026 and is funded to 31 March 2029. Your council runs it and sets its own rules and application windows.
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Councils use the Crisis and Resilience Fund to help with energy and water bills, food, essential items and housing costs. Some share out money through local charities and community groups; some limit household applications to one per year.
Apply through your council — not DWP. You do not have to be getting benefits, and a payment will not affect benefits you already get.
Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund, Wales the Discretionary Assistance Fund and Northern Ireland Discretionary Support. Council help complements Universal Credit and Pension Credit — claim all support you qualify for.
Primary source: www.gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council
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