Household Support Fund schemes end

Disability Rights UK has stated that Household Support Fund schemes end on 30 September 2024, in a briefing page on the fund published by the independent disability charity¹. The same page carries the note that "The Housing Support Fund Schemes ends on 30 September 2024"¹.

A separate timetable published by Turn2us gives a different date. Its benefit changes timetable states that "The Household Support Fund will end on 31 March 2025"². The two organisations therefore disagree on when the fund closes, and neither date is attributed to a government announcement in the material available.

The Household Support Fund is administered by local councils in England and provides help with essential costs. Disability Rights UK says the support "could help if you're struggling to afford things like: energy and water bills food essential items"¹. It adds that "You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council"¹, and that "If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme"¹.

The briefing sets out expectations for how councils should treat disabled residents. It states that "Authorities should consider providing support to disabled people in their area"¹, noting that some disabled people face higher utility bills through the use of equipment, aids or adaptations, and additional heating, water or transport costs. It adds that authorities "are therefore encouraged to explore ways in which this group may be supported and must record the total value of awards granted to disabled people"¹.

The Turn2us timetable places the fund's closure in a wider list of 2025 changes. In the same month it lists the deadline to claim the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment as 31 March 2025, the extension of Welfare Supplementary Payments in Northern Ireland until 31 March 2025, and a one-off £100 fuel support payment in Northern Ireland for pensioners who did not receive the Winter Heating Payment, to be paid by 31 March².

Why it matters for households

Households that have relied on a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme face the end of that route to help with energy and water bills, food and essential items, on whichever of the two dates applies¹. Because the fund is delivered through local councils, the practical effect depends on the scheme run in each area, and the briefing notes that claimants do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify¹. Payments already made from a scheme do not affect benefit entitlement¹.

The uncertainty over the closing date matters for anyone planning around it. Disability Rights UK's page states the schemes end on 30 September 2024¹; Turn2us states the fund ends on 31 March 2025². No government statement confirming either date appears in the material available, and no replacement scheme for the fund has been reported there.

What happens next

The Turn2us timetable lists further dated changes for 2025, including social security benefits rising by 1.7% in April 2025, the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold increasing from £151 to £196, and the National Minimum Wage rising by 6%, to £12.21 an hour for people aged 21 and over². It also lists the Pension Age Disability Payment replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, available in 13 more local authority areas from 24 March and throughout Scotland from 22 April 2025², and the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment expected to launch in Scotland in November 2025, replacing the Winter Fuel Payment².

Households seeking help with essential costs can check benefits entitlement, including Pension Credit, and the separate Cold Weather Payment and winter heating payments in Scotland schemes.