Households Urged to Claim £200 from Household Support Fund

Households receiving benefits, including Universal Credit, are encouraged to apply for a one-time cash payment of £200 through the Household Support Fund (HSF). This initiative, which totals £742 million, is aimed at assisting those in need and is currently being distributed among local councils in England.

The Household Support Fund was first established in 2021 to provide financial aid to individuals on low incomes, those receiving benefits, or classified as vulnerable. Each council has the discretion to set its own eligibility criteria, meaning the support available can vary widely depending on where you live. For residents in the Wealden District, applications for the £200 payment have officially opened.

To qualify for the payment, applicants must be aged 18 or older, reside within the Wealden District Council area, and be receiving one of four specified benefits: Universal Credit (including the Housing Costs component), Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or a Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) exemption. Importantly, only those who did not receive assistance in the previous round of HSF, which ran from October 2024 to March 2025, are eligible for this current payment.

Applications can be submitted via the Wealden District Council’s website, and once a claim is approved, funds will be transferred to the applicant’s bank account within 14 days. Further information about the application process can be found at www.wealden.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund.

The distribution of the Household Support Fund is structured in phases. The second phase, set to commence on October 1, 2026, will allow those who received support in the first round to apply again for the £200 payment, adhering to the same eligibility criteria as the initial phase.

For individuals living outside of Wealden, it is still possible to access support through the HSF, though availability will depend on local council policies. Residents are advised to check their respective council’s website for specific guidance regarding eligibility and application procedures.

In addition to the Wealden District, other councils are also actively distributing funds. For example, households in Birmingham are being encouraged to apply for the £200 payment, while those in North Northamptonshire can access supermarket vouchers worth up to £320.

Aside from cash grants, individuals on low incomes should consider reviewing their benefit entitlements. Various organizations provide resources to help determine eligibility for additional support. The Trussell Trust operates numerous food banks across the UK, offering emergency food parcels to those who are struggling to afford basic necessities.

Furthermore, if individuals are facing challenges with energy bills, grants are available from major energy providers such as British Gas and Octopus Energy, which can offer assistance of up to £2,000.

To ensure that no one misses out on potential benefits, individuals can utilize online calculators provided by organizations like Turn2Us and Entitledto. These tools can help assess eligibility for various benefits, tax credits, and Universal Credit, offering a clearer picture of financial options available.

The current round of the Household Support Fund is set to run until March 31, 2026. With many councils already accepting applications, now is the time for eligible households to take action and secure necessary financial support.