Overview
- The three-year scheme starts 1 April 2026 with £1 billion annually, replacing the Household Support Fund and relaunching support that supersedes Discretionary Housing Payments.
- The fund has two strands: a crisis payment open beyond benefit claimants and a housing payment limited to people on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with a housing element.
- Local authorities set eligibility and how funds are split across crisis, housing and resilience services, with English councils required to publish plans and open applications by 1 April.
- Guidance directs a cash-first approach with urgent awards expected within 48 hours, using options such as bank transfers, Post Office or ATM cash vouchers and pay-by-text.
- Charities including the Trussell Trust and Barnardo’s welcomed the move, while the LGA says the funding is unlikely to meet demand, citing a survey where only 2% of councils said it would.