Household support fund

The household support fund is money that government has given local councils so they can support the most vulnerable residents with essential daily costs, like buying food and paying energy bills.

This page will be kept up to date with details of what is available and how you can apply (last updated September 2023).

The information on this page is for people living in the Portsmouth City Council area, PO1 to PO6. If you live in Hampshire, you can find out about support in your area on the Hampshire County Council site.

Eligible families will get a total of £150 in supermarket vouchers (per child) by the end of winter.

Families can now apply for a £70 voucher for each eligible child and will be able to apply for a further voucher of £80 voucher this winter.

Families with children attending school in Portsmouth in years R to 11 who were eligible for free school meals were given their £70 vouchers by their school before the summer.

Lower income families with children who did not qualify for a voucher from a school before the summer can now apply for a voucher.

The scheme is now open to apply. You can apply for a Household Support Fund Family Voucher if you:

1. Are living in the Portsmouth City Council area (PO1-PO6);
2. Are receiving Child Benefit for a child born on or after 25 September 2003 or be at least 20 weeks pregnant;
3. Did not have receive a £70 voucher in respect of this child from a school between June and September 2023;
4. Have a total household earned and unearned income (excluding benefits and tax credits) of below £1,350 in the last month (or £1,246 in the last four weeks if paid weekly)

Apply for a Household Support Fund Family Voucher.

If you are unable to complete an online application or upload proof of your circumstances online, you can make a telephone application by calling our Household Support Fund helpline on 023 9268 8010.

You must submit your application by 24 November 2023. Due to limited funding, the Household Support Fund Family Vouchers may close earlier than this, if all the funds have been given out.

Full details of the scheme are included in the Household Support Fund Family Voucher Scheme Policy.

If you first claimed a means-tested benefit on or after 26 September 2022, or if you receive Housing Benefit and no other means-tested income benefit, you could qualify for our new £120 cost of living payment.

The scheme is now open to apply. You can apply for a Household Support Fund Cost of Living Payment if you are:

• Living in the Portsmouth City Council area (PO1-PO6)
• In one of the following qualifying income groups:
  • Currently receiving Housing Benefit and not receiving any other means-tested income benefit (Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit), or:
  • Currently receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), with the claim starting on 26 September 2022 or later

Apply for a Household Support Fund Cost of Living Payment.

If you are unable to complete an online application or upload proof of your circumstances online, you can make a telephone application by calling our Household Support Fund helpline on 023 9268 8010.

You must submit your application by 24 November 2023. Due to limited funding, the Household Support Fund Cost of Living payment scheme may close earlier than this, if all the funds have been given out.

Full details of the scheme are included in the Household Support Fund Cost of Living Payment Scheme Policy.

If you’re below state pension age and receive Disability Living Allowance (either for yourself or a child) or Personal Independence Payments, you could qualify for our new warm home payment for disabled people. You will be able to apply for £150 to help with your energy costs. The scheme is not yet open for applications, but you can leave your email address to be notified when it opens.

We’re also providing funding for local organisations that are already supporting people with the cost of living, including foodbanks and community pantries, to help their work. Local services are listed at our Help with Food page.

We’re also using household support funding to give more people access to home energy advice visits. To find out how to save energy and money, visit Switched on Portsmouth or call the freephone helpline on 0800 260 5907.

Portsmouth City Council has a dedicated cost of living hub and helpline, to support residents who are worried about money.

You can also find free money advice and see where to get support on our money advice page. This advice can help you save money, deal with debt and make sure you’re receiving everything you’re entitled to.

If you are struggling to afford household items or other essentials, look at our directory for local and national services that could help.

For advice on how to save energy and cut the cost of gas and electricity bills, you can visit Switched on Portsmouth. If you are on a low income or get a disability benefit, you may also be eligible for a free home energy advice visit.

The HIVE directory is a great place to find local groups and organisations supporting our communities across Portsmouth.