Household Support Fund extended to March 2027 with £742m of further funding

What changed

DWP has published funding guidance for the eighth iteration of the Household Support Fund (HSF). England's upper-tier local authorities will share £742 million between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. The total is roughly in line with the seventh iteration (£741m for 2025-26) and represents a moderate real-terms reduction of around 3% against CPI.

HSF is a discretionary scheme: councils decide how to spend their allocation, subject to DWP guidance that at least one-third of spend must be on households with children and at least one-third on pension-age households. Within those envelopes, awards are made as vouchers (typically for food, energy, or essentials), cash grants, or in-kind support.

The Barnett-consequentials from the HSF extension flow to the devolved governments. Scotland's equivalents (the Scottish Welfare Fund, Discretionary Housing Payment, Fuel Insecurity Fund) are funded from that consequential plus core Scottish Government budget. Wales operates the Discretionary Assistance Fund; Northern Ireland operates Discretionary Support.

Who it affects

HSF is aimed at households in the most severe financial stress. Typical recipients are on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, or very low earnings with no other safety net available. Awards are usually small (£50-£300) and one-off; some councils operate standing award lists for winter fuel vouchers or free school meals holiday vouchers funded from HSF.

Because each council designs its own scheme, the eligibility criteria vary substantially. Some councils accept self-referral through an online portal; others require a referral from a foodbank, housing officer, or school; a minority only distribute through voluntary-sector partners.

When it takes effect

The new funding period starts 1 April 2026. Most councils are publishing their 2026-27 scheme designs between now and mid-May. Some councils carry over unspent 2025-26 funding into the new year; most reset eligibility on 1 April and start a fresh annual cap per household.

What to do

1. Check your council's HSF scheme directly. Search "[council name] household support fund" — the page is usually on the main council site. If you live in England, our HSF entitlement page lists the top 20 councils with direct links.
2. If you are in crisis now, don't wait until April — most councils are still running 2025-26 scheme awards until 31 March.
3. If you were refused an HSF award in 2025-26, councils typically reset caps at the start of a new funding year. Reapply after 1 April 2026 if your circumstances still meet the scheme criteria.
4. In Scotland, apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund (Crisis Grant or Community Care Grant). In Wales, apply to the Discretionary Assistance Fund. In Northern Ireland, apply for Discretionary Support.