Household Support Fund, Pension Credit and more help for low-income households in 2025

What assistance is there for households facing money problems?

It’s not been an easy Spring for many households, with a perfect storm of bills, including council tax and energy bills, having risen sharply. 

The Government’s cost-of-living payments scheme, also known as the Household Support Fund and administered via local authorities, has just been unveiled for this year.

But how else can you get help if you’re experiencing financial difficulties? 

Here are five ways to get help, including Government support programmes, if you are facing money problems. 

Household Support Fund – up to £500

Local councils offer help with essential living costs under the Household Support Fund operated by the Department of Work and Pensions. 

The scheme runs between April 2025 and March 2026 and the various councils operate it slightly differently. 

Some councils limit claims to one per household per year or distribute the cash through local community groups. 

The fund can give up to £500 to those in need, although some councils offer payments of £100. 

They may be able to help you if you are having difficulties paying for essential items such as food, utility bills such as energy bills. 

The funds can also provide families with food vouchers during the school holidays. 

To get assistance, you do not have to be a benefits claimant but, if you do receive benefits, these will not be affected. 

Contact your local authority to find out if you qualify. 

You can find your local council here. 

Pension Credit – up to £4,300

If you are a pensioner on a low income, it’s worth checking whether you could be eligible for Pension Credit. 

This is now also the only way to access the Winter Fuel Payment – a £200-£300 payment to help pensioners with energy bills – as only those who qualify for Pension Credit will now receive it. 

If you get Pension Credit, you can get a contribution towards other costs, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent your property, support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home, a discount on Council Tax, a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over, plus other discounts including help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs to hospital appointments. 

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single and your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner. 

You could still qualify for Pension Credit if you have a disability or are a carer, as long as you have no more than £10,000 in savings and investments.  

Find out if you qualify here. 

Help to Save –up to £1,200 over 4 years

Help to Save is a special Government bank account to encourage people on low incomes to save. 

Certain recipients of Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit receive a bonus of 50p on every £1 they can save into it over four years. 

Account holders can save up to £50 each calendar month into their Help to Save account but do not have to save into it every month. 

You can do so by debit card, standing order or bank transfer and you can only withdraw the money into your bank account.

Account holders receive their bonuses at the end of the second and fourth years, based on how much they’ve saved. 

The account then closes after four years and you keep the money. However, you cannot subsequently open another Help to Save account. 

Find out more about Help to Save here. 

Universal Credit – up to £2,110 a month

Universal Credit is the new benefits system that replaces a number of other schemes, including tax credits. 

It is for individuals who are on a low income, including those who are out of work, working part-time or are self-employed, and need additional help with living costs. 

It also supports people who have a health condition that affects their ability to work. 

If you are on Universal Credit, you may also qualify for additional support with housing costs and childcare. 

Here’s a link with more information about how to claim and what information you’ll need. 

It’s also possible to get advance Universal Credit payments, although, according to the homeless charity Shelter, this can cause money problems because your benefits payments are reduced until the loan is repaid. 

You can apply through your Universal Credit account, by calling the helpline on 0800 328 5644 or speaking to your work coach at the Jobcentre. 

Shelter advises that you only ask for support for things like food, rent, important bills and travel.

Hardship funds

Some councils offer low-cost loans or grants to individuals facing hardship or eviction. They can also refer you to local charities, which may be able to help. 

If things are very difficult and you need groceries, you can get a referral from your doctor, school, health visitor, advice service such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau or social worker for a voucher for local food banks. 

Find your local Trussell Trust food bank here.

There may also be other food banks in your local area that are not run by the Trussell Trust. 

This can be useful to know as most food banks will only let you access their services three times in a period of six months. 

If you are struggling to pay your bills, contact your utility companies for help. They may be able to extend the payment period or cancel late-payment charges. 

You may also be able to get assistance or hardship grants from your trade union, if you’re a member, or your college, university or student union if you are a student. 

Don't suffer in silence

Charity Turn2us provides help with finding hardship funds. Visit the website here. 

The charity Shelter also offers additional suggestions for help at this link. 

Avoid doorstep lenders and payday loans as much as possible as the interest rates charged are extortionate. It’s also illegal for someone who isn’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to charge interest on a loan. 

If you need debt advice, you can access it for free from the Money Advice Trust. 

Many of us are just a paycheck or two away from financial hardship. Don’t suffer in silence and make sure you reach out for the help you need - that's what it's there for.