Household Support Fund

Find out if you qualify for help with essential costs like energy, water, food, and other necessities.

This information was last updated on 17 April 2025.

Support available for UK households

The Household Support Fund has been extended to 31 March 2026.

The primary objective of The Fund is to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in the most need with the cost of essentials. The secondary objective is to provide preventative support to prevent vulnerable households from falling into – or falling further into – crisis. The grant is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The scheme aims to support:

those on a low income
who have limited savings
are particularly at risk due to factors such as disabilities or caring for young children

What the fund supports

The fund provides financial assistance to vulnerable households facing rising living costs.

food
energy and water to support with domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders, it can also be used to support water bills
essentials linked to energy and water including:
- sanitary products
- warm clothing
- soap
- blankets
- purchase of new and used equipment including white goods, etc.
wider essentials these may include support with, but not limited to:
- other bills including broadband or phone bills
- clothing
- essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car or paying for fuel
housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet need, the fund can be used to support some elements of housing costs

The fund can provide preventative support with the aim of preventing poverty locally and building local resilience. Northumberland's preventative approach has and will continue to include:

Providing energy advice and guidance to reduce household costs and maximise income
Carrying out energy assessments and providing advice on small improvement measures to reduce household bills
Supporting with larger energy improvements such as boiler repairs/replacements
Supporting a network of Warm Spaces and connecting local support offers
The delivery of community pop up sessions with voluntary and statuary partners offering financial welfare and energy advice
Assistance with and/or access to affordable food such as subsidised food pantries and community kitchens
Helping sustain a network of Northumberland Foodbanks who provide more than just food and can provide advice and/or connect residents to other local trusted support offerings
Supporting Northumberland food partnership to provide advice and skills training on how to cook and provide good quality nutritious meals on a budget

Our team may ask for the following:

last two months bank statements and
a recent energy bill

How we assess applications

Your application will be assessed, and we will explain our final decision. If you were referred by a third-party partner, we will provide them with the outcome of the decision.

A family member or friend can apply for you if you need support.

We can help with your application:

Telephone: 01670 620 015 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm and Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm).

Spending food e-vouchers

If you are awarded an e-voucher (such as part of School Holiday Support eligibility), you'll need an appropriate SMART device such as a mobile phone or tablet to redeem the e-voucher which can then be used at one of the following stores:

Aldi
Iceland
Asda
Tesco
Morrisons
Waitrose
Sainsbury's

Help to apply

You may be referred to the Safe & Resilient Team by one of the following; Northumberland County Council Services, public sector partners or local organisations, if you are receiving support from them including:

children's social care through your social worker
adults social care through your social worker
your early help worker
your Neighbourhood Housing Officer (if you are a Northumberland County Council tenant)
Welfare Rights Service
Transitions Team
DWP Job Coach or caseworker
your Northumberland recovery caseworker
your Local Social Prescriber working within your Primary Care Network/GP Surgeries
your local foodbank

Exceptions to funding

Anyone can apply but there may be exceptions if:

someone has community care needs
has serious health problems
there is a risk to a child's welfare

In these cases, you will need to contact Onecall who will assess and refer you to the scheme.