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England’s Councils Start Distributing Round 7 Cost-of-Living Support

Eligibility hinges on meeting local residency requirements plus demonstrating financial hardship under the year-long £724 million support programme.

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Overview

  • The UK government confirmed a £724 million allocation on March 4 for Round 7 of the Household Support Fund covering April 2025 to March 2026.
  • Birmingham City Council reopened its Hardship Grant Community Fund on June 23, offering £200 one-off payments to residents meeting residency and hardship criteria, with applicants contacted within three to four weeks.
  • Ealing Council, working with a £4.7 million HSF allocation, will issue £90 supermarket vouchers per eligible free school meals child in July via partner Blackhawk.
  • North Northamptonshire Council plans to roll out HSF-funded vouchers worth up to £320 per household, with local application details to be announced ahead of July disbursements.
  • The DWP-managed fund allows councils to customise aid from cash grants to vouchers for essentials such as food, energy and clothing, resulting in diverse schemes and criteria across England.