As the cost of living continues to rise, it can be challenging to make ends meet. But don't worry, you're not alone in this.
While Cost of Living Payments have now ended, the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) continues to offer targeted help to those most in need. It’s been extended until March 2026, with support distributed by local councils. In this guide, we’ll explain how the fund works, how to access it, and what other forms of help are still available today.
Although the Cost of Living Payments have ended, the Household Support Fund (HSF) remains in place — and has been extended until 31 March 2026. This fund gives money to local councils in England to help people who are struggling with essential living costs.
Local councils have the flexibility to decide how to use the funding, but typical support may include:
Who can apply?
The fund is aimed at people who are vulnerable or on a low income. You don’t always need to be claiming benefits to get help. Each council sets its own rules, so it’s worth checking your local authority’s website to see what’s available where you live.
Some councils may prioritise:
How to access it
You’ll usually need to apply directly through your local council. In some cases, you might need a referral from a support worker, GP, school, or debt adviser. Councils may also contact people directly who they already know are in need.
👉 Find your local council and apply for the Household Support Fund
The National Insurance threshold was raised to £12,570 a year. This change means you can earn more before you start paying NI contributions — which may help reduce your overall deductions depending on your circumstances.
Fuel duty is a tax you pay on petrol and diesel when you fill up your vehicle. It's included in the price you see at the pump.
To ease the pressure on drivers, the government cut fuel duty by 5p per litre in March 2022 — and this cut remains in place. That means you're still paying slightly less tax on fuel than you would have before the cut.
While fuel prices continue to rise and fall depending on global supply and demand, this ongoing tax cut provides a small but consistent saving for motorists.
Billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed each year. Even if you’re working, you might be entitled to support such as:
Use a benefits calculator such as entitled to or contact a local adviser to check.
If you receive benefits, you may still be able to access interest-free government loans to help with essential costs:
These loans can range from £100 to £812, depending on your circumstances. Loan amounts and eligibility depend on your situation, and repayments are taken from future benefits.
Charities often offer grants that don’t need to be repaid. These are usually aimed at people with specific backgrounds, careers, or needs.
Try Turn2us to search for grants you may be eligible for.
Some energy companies offer support funds for customers struggling with bills or in debt. In many cases, you can also contact your supplier for help with payment plans or reducing payments.
One example is the British Gas Individuals and Families Fund, which offers up to £2,000 for clearing debt — even if you’re not a British Gas customer (eligibility criteria apply).
If you're on a low income or meet certain criteria, you may be able to get help with your Council Tax through a range of schemes. These include:
If you live alone or are the only adult in your home, you should get 25% off your Council Tax bill. You may also be able to backdate your claim, so you could get back some of the Council Tax you’ve already paid.
If you're a full-time student or on certain apprenticeship schemes, you may not have to pay Council Tax at all. You'll usually need to apply to your local council to confirm your exemption.
This scheme is designed for people on low incomes, and how much support you get depends on your income, age, and living situation.
You can often still claim Council Tax support even if you share your home with other adults, as long as you meet the income and eligibility criteria — the financial circumstances of others in your household don’t always affect your claim.
Each local council runs its own version of the scheme, so the exact rules and amounts can vary. To find out what support is available where you live, check your council’s website.
If you’re struggling financially, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to face it without support. Free and confidential advice is available from:
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of external sites.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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