Household Support Fund

Money to help if you're struggling with food, bills or energy costs

The Household Support Fund is designed to help you if you are struggling with food, bills or energy costs. Funding has been allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions, to be administered by the local authority against set criteria, with the previous round of funding having closed in March.

As with previous rounds, the council continues to work in partnership with the Hardship Alliance to manage and allocate the fund. The Alliance is a group of local charities working with the Council - Citizens Advice Wokingham, First Days Children’s Charity, Age UK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charities.

The current round of funding will run from mid-September until March 2026. Those eligible to receive money from the Household Support Fund will be supported during this period.

Who is eligible?

Ahead of the new round of funding, the alliance reviewed how they had given out the funding and who had received it in all of the previous rounds. This helped create new criteria which aims to better understand people's circumstances and help them transition out of the Household Support Fund, given that this is the final round. The focus is to identify the people with the greatest need, particularly families and individuals facing financial hardship, people with disabilities and older people. These individuals will be contacted by one of the charities about their eligibility for this round of funding.

For our first phase of round 7 of the Household Support Fund you must meet 1 or more of the below criteria:

In receipt of a means tested benefit (Universal Credit or legacy benefits, like Limited Capability for Work).
In receipt of a non means tested benefit (Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Limited Capability for Work Related Activities) i.e. not child benefit
Debts and Arrears (Rent, Council Tax, Energy etc.), including whether the debt is interest-bearing or not
Been in receipt of additional non-Household Support Fund services (e.g., Food Bank or other non-Household Support Fund support)
Pension credits

How will I receive funding?

Individuals who meet the requirements for Household Support Funding may be contacted by one of the charities, who will assist with making a personalised plan based on their need to apply for funding. They will also be provided with any necessary support.

If you have not been in receipt of funding from the Household Support Fund in the past, but are in need of financial support, please contact a charity in the Hardship Alliance and they will provide help and advice:

Citizens Advice Wokingham: householdsupportfund@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk
Age UK Berkshire: info@ageukberkshire.org.uk
Wokingham United Charities: hsg@wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk

The Hardship Alliance will continue to review the distribution of the funds in line with the new approach and to best meet need. Further information will be issued in accordance with the review processes.

Other sources of support

Other means of support are also available if you need it:

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, you may be eligible to a Council Tax discount or exemption
If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and it doesn’t cover all your rent, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to help
If you are a local business and need help with business rates, or are struggling to pay, you may be eligible for a reduction and further support
If you receive certain benefits your child may be eligible for free school meals

For more information about support you may be able to access, see our Cost of Living page.

You can also contact Citizens Advice Wokingham to get help with benefits, debt, housing, relationship problems and employment law. Call 0808 278 7958, Monday to Friday.

Funded by Government

£742 million has been made available to councils in England to support vulnerable households with the cost of essentials through the Household Support Fund in 2025/26.

The funding is an extension of the Household Support Fund and has been allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions to Councils in England, who use it to support those in need in their local area.

Visit the Government's cost of living help pages for more information.