Household Support Fund (HSF)

The Household Support Fund 4 (HSF) was put in place by the government to help households that would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills, or meet other essential living costs during the current cost-of-living challenges.

HSF 4 closed as of 31 March 2024.

New instructions for the Household Support Fund 2024, as announced during the Spring Budget, will follow.

£842 million has been made available to county councils and unitary authorities in England, via the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), for this purpose. The funding is aimed particularly at those who may not be eligible for the other forms of government support.

HSF differs to the GOV.UK: Guidance - Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 (opens new window) paid directly to those that are eligible for certain benefits from the DWP and the GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment (opens new window). Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they were born before 25 September 1957 - see GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment (opens new window) for full eligibility criteria.