New Household Support Fund Phase Brings £250 Aid for Millions

A fresh round of financial support is on the way for households feeling the pressure of rising bills. With over £5 million allocated to one London borough alone, the Household Support Fund is being used to ease mounting costs.

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Household Support Fund
Household Support Fund. credit : shutterstock, edited with canva | en.Econostrum.info - United Kingdom

Rising inflation and energy prices continue to strain household budgets across the UK, particularly for those on low to moderate incomes. As part of its response, the government has extended the Household Support Fund, enabling local authorities to deliver targeted financial relief to residents experiencing hardship.

In Enfield, this funding translates into over £5 million being allocated to support vulnerable households over the next financial year. With eligibility tied to income and savings thresholds, the scheme aims to help residents meet basic living costs and avoid falling into deeper financial difficulty.

Targeted Support for Vulnerable Households

Residents in the London Borough of Enfield earning less than £40,000 a year may be eligible for a one-off £250 Cost of Living payment, according to new guidance linked to the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Household Support Fund. 

The council has been awarded £5,019,505.98 to provide assistance to financially vulnerable households between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.

The support will primarily target those struggling to cover everyday essentials, such as energy and water bills, housing costs, food, and other critical items. Eligibility is based on strict income and savings thresholds. 

Households must be based in Enfield, have an annual net income under £40,000, and hold less than £1,000 in savings to qualify. Applicants are also required to demonstrate current hardship and supply proof of income, a utility bill, and a recent bank statement.

Help With Essentials, Not Just Cash Payments

According to Enfield Council, the funds are not limited to direct cash payments. The scheme is designed to provide both monetary and practical support, with white goods such as fridges, cookers or washing machines offered directly, not in cash form. Where cash is granted, it is capped at £250 per household.

The Council specifies that assistance may also come through food banks or pantries, and additional help may cover clothing, phone bills, broadband or transport costs. Housing support is available where existing schemes fall short, although mortgage payments are not covered. Each application will be assessed individually based on documented needs.

The initiative falls under the mortgage phase of the Household Support Fund, a government-backed programme aimed at cushioning low-income households from cost-of-living pressures. 

According to the DWP, the fund’s primary goal is to prevent households from falling into—or deeper into—crisis. While the support is discretionary, the council also commits to offering income maximisation advice to applicants, ensuring they receive all other forms of support for which they might be eligible.

Residents wishing to apply must provide detailed explanations of their financial difficulties. Applications lacking a clear reason for hardship will not be considered. The scheme is part of a wider UK response to ongoing inflationary pressures and rising utility costs, which continue to disproportionately affect households with lower incomes.

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