Households across England can apply for new £200 cost-of-living payments starting in July 2026, under a scheme announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The payments are part of the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which replaces the previous Household Support Fund (HSF).
Who Can Apply and How
Anyone can apply for the payments through their local council, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. The support is targeted at those most in need, including parents with young children and others in vulnerable situations struggling to afford essentials like food, gas, and electricity.
Under the previous HSF, Birmingham City Council provided £200 grants to eligible households. The Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, which manages applications on behalf of the city council, confirmed that the application process remains the same as for the HSF.
Eligibility Criteria
However, households that received an HSF payment within the past 12 months are not eligible for the new CRF. The Birmingham Voluntary Service Council stated: "The Household Support Fund has now transitioned into the Crisis Resilience Fund. The enquiry and application process will remain the same as HSF. If you or anyone in your household have received an HSF payment within the past 12 months, you will not be eligible, and your enquiry form will be rejected."
They added: "Please be aware that if you are not currently in receipt of any support services including Universal Credit – you may still be eligible for the Crisis Resilience Fund."
Background and Funding
The launch of the CRF was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of the government's ongoing support for households facing financial hardship. The fund is designed to provide assistance over the next few years, replacing the HSF which had been in place since 2021.
The £200 payments are intended to help with rising costs, particularly for energy and food bills. Households are encouraged to contact their local councils for application details. Birmingham Live's Free Money Saving WhatsApp community offers updates on such schemes.
