The major cost of living payment schemes introduced during the energy crisis of 2022–2024 — the £300–£900 payments for benefits recipients — have largely concluded. However, significant financial support for struggling UK households remains in place in 2026. This guide covers what's still available, who qualifies, and how to access it.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund continues in 2026, distributing money to local councils to support struggling households. The fund is used for food vouchers, energy bill help, household essentials, and other assistance. Each council operates its own scheme with different criteria. The best way to access it is to contact your local council's support team directly or check their website. Some councils focus on families with children, others on pensioners, and some on anyone facing hardship.
- Contact your local council for their specific Household Support Fund scheme
- Often provides: food vouchers, energy top-ups, white goods, essential items
- No universal eligibility — each council sets its own criteria
- Apply directly at your council's website or by calling their support line
- Often underutilised — many eligible households don't know it exists
Energy Bill Support That Continues in 2026
Several energy support schemes continue in 2026. The Warm Home Discount provides an automatic £150 credit on electricity bills for eligible low-income households — applied directly to your bill, no application needed if you're auto-enrolled, but check you're registered with your supplier. Cold Weather Payments of £25 per week are made when temperatures drop below 0°C for 7 consecutive days (for those on certain benefits). Winter Fuel Payments continue for those of State Pension age, though eligibility was tightened to require receipt of Pension Credit from 2024.
- Warm Home Discount: £150 electricity credit (auto for some, apply for others)
- Cold Weather Payments: £25/week during cold spells (benefits claimants)
- Winter Fuel Payment: £200–£300 for Pension Credit recipients
- Priority Services Register: extra support from energy suppliers (free)
- Energy Obligation (ECO4): free energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households
Council Tax Support
Council Tax Reduction continues as a major form of means-tested support — you can receive up to 100% reduction if your income and savings are low enough. Many councils also run discretionary Council Tax relief schemes for exceptional hardship cases. If you're struggling to pay council tax, contact your council immediately — they can set up payment plans and, in hardship cases, may write off arrears entirely.
- Council Tax Reduction: up to 100% for those on lowest incomes
- Discretionary hardship funds: most councils have these
- Don't wait until bailiff stage: contact council early for a payment plan
- See /blog/council-tax-reduction-how-to-apply for eligibility guidance
Free School Meals and Other Family Support
Families with children can access significant support. Universal Free School Meals are available to all infant school pupils (Reception to Year 2). Beyond this, means-tested Free School Meals are available to families on Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides free holiday clubs with food for children eligible for free school meals. Healthy Start vouchers provide £4.25/week for pregnant women and families with children under 4 on qualifying benefits.
- Universal Free School Meals: all Reception–Year 2 pupils
- Means-tested Free School Meals: families on UC earning under £7,400/year (plus UC amount)
- HAF programme: free holiday clubs with meals for eligible children
- Healthy Start: £4.25/week vouchers for fruit, veg, milk, infant formula
Are there any one-off cost of living payments available in 2026?
The major universal cost of living payments (£300–£900 for benefits recipients) ended in 2024. However, local councils, charities and crisis funds still provide one-off payments for genuine hardship. Contact your local council and charities like Turn2Us and Step Change.
Where can I get free debt or financial advice?
Citizens Advice, StepChange, National Debtline and MoneyHelper all provide free confidential advice. These services are genuinely free and independent — never pay for debt advice.
- cost of living
- cost of living payment
- uk benefits 2026
- financial support