Thousands of households urged to apply for new £200 cost of living support

Thousands of households are being urged to check if they are eligible for up to £200 in cost of living support. The help is being issued by Portsmouth City Council as part of the Household Support Fund.

The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash awarded to vulnerable households by their local council, to help with the cost of bills such as food, energy, and water.

Some councils offer vouchers, while others are distributing cash payments. It is up to each local authority to decide what type of help it provides.

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Portsmouth City Council is awarding £150 to single person households, and £200 for couples or families. The council has provided a list of everyone who is eligible for this help, and it includes:

• Pensioners receiving Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance
• Carers and caring households receiving either Carer’s Allowance or the Carers Element of Universal Credit or Pension Credit
• Care leavers and care experienced adults (contact your personal adviser who can apply on your behalf.)
• Low-income working aged adults unable to work specifically those with Limited Capacity for Work (LCW) who are not receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Single parents receiving Universal Credit

Your household income must also be below £935 for a single adult household or £1,350 for a couple or family, including single parent families.

You must also be living in one of the following postcode districts: PO1 to PO6, PO7 5AT, PO7 5AU, PO7 5AX, PO7 5AY, PO7 5AZ, PO7 5BA, PO7 5BS, PO7 5BT or PO7 5BU.

The deadline for applying for this support is October 27, 2025 but the scheme may close earlier if all funds are allocated before this date.

If you don't live in Portsmouth, it is worth checking what support your local council can offer you through the Household Support Fund.

For example, Wealden District Council is giving payments of £200 to people receiving Universal Credit that also includes the Housing Costs element, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or getting Severe Mental Impairment exemption.

You can apply between now and September 30, 2025, if you did not previously receive a payment under the last round of the Household Support Fund. A second window will open from October 1, 2025 until March 31, 2026 for any remaining eligible claims.

West Berkshire Council is awarding cash payments to households that are "in crisis" and in need of financial support. If you are in a household with three or more children, you will be awarded £300.

Households with one to two children will get £250, and other households with no children could get £150. Ribble Valley Borough Council is giving out food vouchers to eligible households that have a combined household income of less than £35,000 per year.

You can get a £200 voucher if you live alone, £300 if you live in a households with two or more adults, or £500 for households with children.