Families on universal credit can apply for free vouchers worth £120 as part of the Government’s £742 million Household Support Fund. Some councils have announced plans to distribute their allocation of the fund; for example, households in Middlesbrough can apply for vouchers worth up to £120 per family from July if their child is not on benefits-related free school meals.
They will need to receive one of the following benefits: council tax reduction, income-based employment and support allowance, housing benefit, income support, pension credit, or universal credit.
Other local councils will have different criteria, and you will need to check with your local authority, which will have made those details available online.
The Household Support Fund helps residents with energy bills, food, and essential costs like Council Tax and runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for support.
To be eligible for the Household Support Fund, you will need to be responsible for paying the Council Tax, rent, or mortgage there. A notice on Middlesbrough council’s website: “Please do not call us unless you’re struggling to apply. The Household Support Fund is funded by the UK Government.”
“Households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will get a voucher for each child. We’ll send vouchers automatically, based on schools’ records,” the local authority stated.
“We hope to send the vouchers in July, but this depends on receiving information about eligible children from schools. We’ll update these dates closer to the time. You can also apply if your child is getting income-related free school meals and is under 5, if another child in the household is eligible for free school meals or goes to a school outside of Middlesbrough, but lives in Middlesbrough.”
It said: “We know people are struggling right now. If you’re not eligible for help from the Household Support Fund, you might be able to get other help. You can find out more in the cost of living section.
“We’re working with partners including the White Feather Project, Together Middlesbrough, food banks, and Middlesbrough Environment City, and helping them to cope with increased levels of demand.
“The Government has lots of support available for people who are struggling. You can find out more on the government’s cost of living hub.”
Last month, the Daily Express reported that households in Blackpool could claim up to £300 in new cost-of-living payments from their local council.
The payments also form part of the Government’s Household Support Fund, which has been extended for another year to support families while costs remain high.
Councils in England decide how best to allocate their portion of the fund, with the amount received based on the size of the population within their catchment area and needs. Blackpool Council is using its allocation to support residents struggling to meet water or energy costs.