If you are struggling to pay for food, energy bills, water, household essentials or other everyday costs, your local council may be able to help through a Household Support Fund, Local Support Fund or Cost of Living Support Scheme.
Support is available for eligible residents experiencing financial hardship and may include cash payments, vouchers, help with utility bills, food support and other emergency assistance.
The schemes available vary by local authority, so eligibility criteria and the support offered may differ depending on where you live. Use the information below to find out what support is available in your area and how to apply.
Household support grants available
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through Essex County Council's cost of living support schemes. Assistance may be available for essential living costs, including food, energy bills, household essentials and emergency expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living within the Essex County Council area, including:
Basildon
Braintree
Brentwood
Castle Point
Chelmsford
Colchester
Epping Forest
Harlow
Maldon
Rochford
Tendring
Uttlesford
Available support
Crisis and Resilience Fund – Emergency support for residents experiencing financial hardship.
Cost of Living Support Hub – Information, guidance and access to a range of financial support schemes.
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Crisis and Resilience Fund: www.essex.gov.uk/help-cost-living/crisis-and-resilience-fund
Cost of Living Support Hub: www.essex.gov.uk/help-cost-living
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Newham Crisis and Resilience Fund. The scheme provides help with essential living costs for eligible residents facing a financial crisis. Assistance may include support with food, energy costs, household essentials and other emergency expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Newham who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Crisis support for residents facing immediate financial hardship
Help with essential household costs
Emergency assistance through the Crisis and Resilience Fund
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.newham.gov.uk/advice-support-benefits/hardship-support
Scheme: Crisis and Resilience Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Cost of Living Support and Resident Support Scheme. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Cost of Living Support
Resident Support Scheme
Help with essential household costs
Advice and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/costofliving
Scheme: Cost of Living Support / Resident Support Scheme
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Hackney Household Support Fund, including the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Hackney who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Crisis and Resilience Fund
Household Support Fund assistance
Help with essential household costs
Advice and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Scheme: Crisis and Resilience Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Haringey Household Support Fund. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills, water costs and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Haringey who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Household Support Fund
Help with food and essential living costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Advice and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.haringey.gov.uk/community-support-safety/household-support-fund
Scheme: Household Support Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Crisis and Resilience Fund. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Crisis and Resilience Fund
Emergency financial assistance
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with utility bills and other urgent expenses
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/discretionary-financial-support
Scheme: Crisis and Resilience Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Brent Cost of Living Support programme. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Brent who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Cost of Living Support
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Advice, guidance and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.brent.gov.uk/benefits-money-and-legal/cost-of-living-support
Scheme: Cost of Living Support
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Lewisham Local Support Fund. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Lewisham who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Local Support Fund
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Advice, guidance and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: lewisham.gov.uk/benefits-and-money/cost-of-living-support
Scheme: Local Support Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Enfield Household Support Fund. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills, water costs and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Enfield who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Household Support Fund
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Emergency financial assistance
Advice and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/benefits/household-support-fund
Scheme: Household Support Fund
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Southwark Essential Household Support scheme. Support is available for eligible residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and other household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Southwark who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Essential Household Support
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Emergency financial assistance
Advice and signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Website: www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support
Scheme: Essential Household Support
Residents experiencing financial hardship may be able to access support through the London Borough of Lambeth Cost of Living Hub. The hub provides information, advice and access to a range of support services for residents struggling with the cost of essentials such as food, energy bills and household expenses.
Who can apply?
Residents living in the London Borough of Lambeth who are experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility criteria apply.
Available support
Cost of Living Hub
Help with food and essential household costs
Support with energy and utility bills
Money and benefits advice
Signposting to local support services
How to apply
For more information, eligibility criteria and application details:
Scheme: Cost of Living Hub