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Households On PIP Urged To Apply For £200 Household Support Fund
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
January 2, 2026
Households across England, including people receiving PIP and other disability benefits, are being urged to check whether they can get up to £200 through the Household Support Fund. However, support is provided by local councils, budgets are limited, and some councils set earlier deadlines (including late January 2026 in some areas), so it is not something to leave to the last minute. Importantly, the national funding period for this round runs until 31 March 2026, but local scheme windows can close earlier.
Applies to: England
Household Support Fund support is delivered through local councils in England. Other UK nations have their own support arrangements.
At a Glance
- Up to £200 per household (amounts vary by council and scheme)
- Open to many people on PIP and disability benefits (not guaranteed)
- Funded by central government and delivered by local councils
- Can help with food, energy and essential household costs
- National funding period runs to 31 March 2026, but councils may close earlier if scheme windows end or budgets run out
In this Article
- What Is The Household Support Fund?
- Who Can Apply?
- How Much Is The Household Support Fund And What Can It Be Used For?
- What This Means For PIP Claimants
- Why Disabled People Are Being Urged To Apply Now
- How To Apply
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- In Summary
What Is The Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government-funded scheme designed to help people who are struggling to afford basic living costs.
The funding is provided by central government but distributed through local councils. That means eligibility rules, payment amounts and application processes vary depending on where someone lives. The support is intended to help with essentials such as food, energy and water bills, and urgent household needs.
For this funding round, the support available to councils in England runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. However, councils may set their own application windows and may close schemes earlier if funding is allocated or their local budget runs out.
Source: GOV.UK – Get help with the cost of living from your local council and GOV.UK – Household Support Fund guidance (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026)
Who Can Apply?
Local councils are encouraging applications from households experiencing financial pressure, including disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
You may be able to apply for the Household Support Fund if you:
- Receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Claim Universal Credit, ESA, Pension Credit or other benefits (depending on the council)
- Have a disability or long-term health condition
- Are struggling with rising food, energy or household costs
You do not always need to be receiving benefits to qualify. Some councils assess applications based on income, savings or recent financial hardship rather than benefit status alone.
Source: GOV.UK – Get help with the cost of living from your local council
Purpl Tip: If someone receives PIP only and no means-tested benefits, do not assume they are excluded. Many councils accept applications from disabled people whose costs are higher even if their income appears borderline.
How Much Is The Household Support Fund And What Can It Be Used For?
Many councils offer support worth up to £200 per household, although the exact amount and format can vary.
Support may be provided as:
- Cash payments
- Supermarket or food vouchers
- Energy bill credits
- Direct payments to suppliers
The fund is designed to cover essential living costs, particularly where disability or health conditions increase day-to-day expenses such as heating or essential items.
Purpl Insight: Councils often prioritise applications that clearly explain why costs are higher. A short explanation of disability-related energy use or essential spending can strengthen an application.
What This Means For PIP Claimants
If someone receives PIP, applying for the Household Support Fund should not affect PIP payments. GOV.UK states that if a person gets benefits, they will not be affected if they get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme.
- HSF support is intended for essentials (for example, food and energy bills)
- It is not paid automatically – an application is usually required
- A payment from an HSF scheme should not affect existing benefits
Councils may ask for information to assess need (and some schemes may ask for evidence), but support is still delivered locally and varies by area.
Source: GOV.UK – Get help with the cost of living from your local council
Purpl Insight: With ongoing uncertainty around future disability benefit changes, local schemes like the HSF can be an important source of short-term support without adding extra complexity to benefit entitlement.
Why Disabled People Are Being Urged To Apply Now
Councils across England often warn that Household Support Fund budgets are limited.
In practice, that can mean:
- Some schemes close earlier than 31 March 2026 if local budgets are allocated
- Some councils run time-limited application windows (including January deadlines in some areas)
- Late applications may not be processed if a local scheme has closed
Disabled people often face higher living costs, especially for energy and transport, which is why early applications are being encouraged where councils are still accepting them.
How To Apply
Applications are made through the local council.
To apply:
- Search online for [Council name] Household Support Fund
- Check eligibility criteria and deadlines on the council website
- Apply online, or request a paper form if needed
Some councils also accept referrals from advice services, disability organisations or local charities.
Start here: GOV.UK – Get help with the cost of living from your local council
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is a government-funded scheme that helps households in England with essential living costs such as food, energy and water bills, and essential items. It is delivered by local councils, which set their own eligibility rules and payment amounts.
Is The Household Support Fund Still Open?
Many councils are still offering support, but availability depends on the local scheme, its deadlines and remaining budget. The national funding period for this round runs until 31 March 2026, but some councils may close earlier.
How Much Can You Get From The Household Support Fund?
In some areas, support may be worth up to £200 per household, although the exact amount varies by council. Some councils provide smaller payments, vouchers, or support in instalments depending on need and available funding.
Can You Get The Household Support Fund If You Receive PIP?
Yes, many people who receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can apply. PIP does not guarantee approval, but councils may take it into account because it recognises the extra costs of disability.
Does The Household Support Fund Affect PIP Or Other Benefits?
GOV.UK states that if a person gets benefits, they will not be affected if they get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme.
Is The Household Support Fund Paid Automatically?
No, the Household Support Fund is not paid automatically. Even if someone receives benefits such as PIP or Universal Credit, they usually need to apply through the local council.
Can You Apply For The Household Support Fund More Than Once?
In some areas, yes. Whether someone can apply more than once depends on local council rules and how the budget is distributed across the year.
Do You Need To Be On Benefits To Get The Household Support Fund?
No, not always. Some councils accept applications based on low income, financial hardship or exceptional circumstances, even if someone is not claiming benefits.
What Can The Household Support Fund Be Used For?
The support is meant to cover essential costs, including food, groceries, energy and water bills, and basic items for the home. Councils may limit how vouchers or payments can be spent.
How Do You Apply For The Household Support Fund?
To apply, search online for the council name followed by Household Support Fund. Most councils offer online applications, but paper forms or help through advice services may also be available. The quickest starting point is the GOV.UK page that directs people to their local council.
Source: GOV.UK – Get help with the cost of living from your local council
Final Thoughts
The Household Support Fund can offer short-term help with essential living costs, and in some areas that support may be worth up to £200.
While the national funding period for this round runs until 31 March 2026, local council schemes can have earlier deadlines and limited budgets, so eligible households are being urged to check and apply as soon as possible through their council.
For disabled people facing ongoing cost-of-living pressure, this support could make a meaningful difference — but only if the local scheme is still open.
How this guide was checked
Information on what the Household Support Fund is, who it is for, and how it works was checked against: GOV.UK local council cost of living support and the official HSF guidance for councils (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026).
About the Author
Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through exclusive discounts. Living with both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands firsthand the financial challenges that often come with managing a disability. Because of this, her mission is to collaborate with brands to secure discounts that help ease the cost of essential products, services, and everyday expenses for the disabled community.
As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina also knows how it feels to lose a sense of independence due to a disability. For that reason, she’s deeply passionate about using holistic therapies and diet to manage inflammation and stay as healthy as possible. Ultimately, her goal is to make Purpl a trusted, go-to resource for disabled people — one that provides not only discounts but also practical advice, emotional support, and genuine financial relief.
Beyond Purpl, Georgina has a long-term vision to launch a foundation that will offer grants and funding for disabled people who need additional financial support. Through this, she hopes to create lasting change, empowering others to live with dignity, confidence, and choice.
Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.
Other articles, or links, you might find useful:
Council Vouchers and Extra Help if Receiving PIP
Grants for Disabled Children in the UK: What Help Can You Get?
Council Tax Discounts for Disabled People: The Support Most Don’t Know Exists
Financial Crisis Support Across the UK
PIP Backdated Payments: How Long Will You Wait?
PIP Discounts and Freebies 2026: Maximise Savings with your PIP Benefits
