UK households earning under £40,000 can get a £250 cash payment via DWP funding.
UK households earning under £40,000 can get a £250 cash payment (Image: Getty)
UK households earning under £40,000 are being offered cash payments of £250 to help pay towards food, energy bills, housing costs, monthly bills and even white goods like fridges and washing machines.
The Household Support Fund has been extended for 2025, from April through to March 2026. The scheme is funded by the DWP but doesn’t come from the DWP, instead a pot of money is distributed to each local council across the UK to be given out at their discretion. It means that each local authority has slightly different rules on eligibility, and offers different amounts of money, although many give out payments in the hundreds of pounds.
Right now, The London Borough of Enfield is giving out cash payments of £250 to eligible households. It has three rules for those looking to apply for the cash: they must live in the borough of Enfield, have an annual household income of under £40,000 and have less than £1,000 in savings.
The council says that benefits such as PIP, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance and Child Benefit do not count towards your household income in its calculations.
The money can then be used for: food, energy or water bills, housing costs (except mortgages), broadband, phone bills, clothing or transport, or white goods such as a fridge, freezer, washing machine or cooker. In the case of the white goods, “these will be provided directly, not as a cash payment”, the council says.
It adds that payments are limited to £250.
The council also tells prospective applicants: “To be considered, you must tell us in detail about:
- what hardship you are experiencing
- why you cannot cover your expenses
You must also send:
- proof of income for everyone in your household
- a copy of your recent bank statement
- a utility bill (if you’re asking for help with energy or water bills)
“We will use this information to assess your situation and may also offer advice to help you maximise your income and reduce your outgoings.”
But if you don’t live in Enfield, there are other councils across the UK offering cost of living cash. Every local authority decides how to spend the money given to it by the DWP for the scheme, so has its own rules and gives out different amounts.
In Doncaster, Doncaster City Council is giving £300 payments to those on one of four benefits. Right now, Doncaster Council is offering up to £300 to households with three or more children, or payments of £100 to parents with one child and £200 for two children, as long as they are claiming Child Benefit for the child.
Manchester City Council is making a payment of £130 between now and March 2026. It says: “Households receiving Council Tax Support and a disability benefit, for example, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will get £130. Only one payment will be made per household.”
Some councils stipulate that they will give the money to those on benefits, but you don’t necessarily need to be claiming any benefits to qualify for support according to the government’s own rules on Household Support Fund eligibility.
The UK government’s website says: “Funding is aimed at anyone who’s vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.”
“If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme.”
