Household Support Fund Delivers £180 Bonus Payments to DWP Benefit Recipients
Thousands of households across the UK are set to receive vital financial assistance through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund, which provides £180 bonus payments per child to eligible families. This initiative targets low-income and vulnerable households struggling with ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Extended Funding and Eligibility Criteria
The government has confirmed the extension of the Household Support Fund scheme, which will now run from Tuesday, April 1, 2025, to Tuesday, March 31, 2026. With an allocation of approximately £3.9 million, the fund aims to bolster support for those most in need during this period.
In Hillingdon, for example, the council has outlined specific eligibility requirements. To qualify for the grant, households must have children aged 0 to 19 who attend a full-time school within the borough. Additionally, applicants must be receiving at least one of the following seven DWP benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided annual gross income does not exceed £16,190 and without entitlement to Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after eligibility ceases)
- Universal Credit (with household income under £7,400 per year after tax, excluding benefits)
Local Council Support and Distribution Plans
Local authorities nationwide have welcomed the fund, praising its role in alleviating financial strain. In Reading, Berkshire, Councillor Liz Terry, the Council Leader, emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by residents despite slower rises in energy, water, and food bills.
"We know there are still many residents in our communities who struggle to pay for the everyday essential items which most of us would take for granted," Terry stated. She highlighted that cost-of-living vouchers will be distributed twice: once before the summer holidays and again before the Christmas period, urging eligible households to check their eligibility during the application phase.
Subject to meeting the criteria, eligible households will receive a total of £180 per child from April 2025 to March 2026. This structured support is designed to provide consistent relief throughout the year, helping families manage essential expenses more effectively.
The Household Support Fund represents a critical lifeline for skint households, ensuring that financial aid reaches those on key DWP benefits. As councils like Hillingdon and Reading implement the scheme, residents are encouraged to engage with local authorities to access this vital support.
