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 November 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 with children attending school in Portsmouth in years R to 11 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals will receive their second voucher, worth £80 per child, before the Christmas break. Families will receive a voucher code automatically from their child’s school. Most voucher codes are sent by email, so please ensure that your school has your correct email address.

Lower income families with children who don’t qualify for a voucher from a school will be able to apply for a voucher in the new year. Information on who is eligible and how to apply will be added to this page.

The first round of our Household Support Fund Cost of Living payment scheme is now closed. If you have already made an application, you will be contacted within 14 days to let you know if any further information is required, or if your application has been successful.

A further round of this scheme will open in the new year, and information on who is eligible and how to apply will be provided on this page.

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.

The next HAF Fun Pompey programme will run from 16 to 23 December. There is a fantastic range of activities and events including some for all the family. You can visit Santa’s Grotto, go sailing, play in a 3×3 basketball tournament, panto visits, go ice skating and plenty more. There will be good, tasty food including some Christmas themed dinners and the odd festive treat!

There are free, funded activities for benefits related free school meal families. You can see a full list of HAF funded activities on our HAF Fun Pompey Eequ page.

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.