Millions of families on Universal Credit can claim £1,000 summer cost of living cash now – check if you qualify

MILLIONS of hard-up families can tap into financial help worth hundreds of pounds to ease the burden of extra costs over the summer holidays.

Every council in England has cash to dole out to support residents who are struggling to afford essentials with the government’s Household Support Fund.

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You could get hundreds of pounds in support to help with the cost of living[/caption]

The £742million scheme hands councils up and down the country to give households in need.

Each local authority gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.

The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.

There are different criteria for applications too. But often councils specify that you will need to be in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit.

The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills.

Residents are advised to check their local council’s website or social media for updates.

Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply.

Here ares some of the schemes currently open and accepting appilcations from those on Universal Credit..

• Birmingham

Hard-up households in Birmingham can get up to £200 payments through the latest round of the fund.

Applications are opening at some point in June so keep an eye on the council website.

Those who have not received a payment from the council in the past 12 months will qualify for this round.

The money is intended to help with energy, grocery and water costs.

• Calderdale

Residents in Calderdale in need can get a up to two awards for £85 each:

• One between now and 30th September 2025, and;
• One between 1st October 2025 and 31st March 2026.

Anyone can apply including those on Universal Credit online at the council website.

But you’ll need to provide your last two bank statements for yourself and your partner for all accounts held to get the payments.

You’ll also need to be liable for paying council tax in the area.

• Cheshire West

 Cheshire West Council’s latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200 for those eligible.

Support ranges from vouchers to put towards food costs to cash for energy bills and help with other essentials.

It will be available to residents receiving either housing benefit or a council tax reduction which is accessible to those on a low income or benefits including Universal Credit.

You can apply through its online portal for cost of living support.

But, you can only make one application in a six month period and applications must be made per household, so partners cannot submit two separate claims.

• Doncaster

The city council will be providing one-off payments worth up to £300 to residents on selected benefits, including Universal Credit.

You’ll also be eligible if you receive:

• Housing benefit
• Local Council Tax Reduction
• Means-tested free school meals.

As part of the support, families can get £100 vouchers towards the cost of food if they have one dependent child.

Households with two dependent children will get £200, while families with three or more will get £300.

Other eligible households – including those without children – can get £100 towards the cost of energy bills.

Households that haven’t received a payment previously will need to submit an application.

You can do that using the link here.

• Hull

Eligible pensioners will be given £200 to help them out after the Government made cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Low income families will also be eligible for a £40 school uniform grant, as well as food vouchers in school holidays for those eligible for school meal

Hull City Council has not yet opened applications for payments, but updates will be posted on the council’s website.

• Leeds

Struggling families in Leeds can get payments of up to £150.

All claimants must be in receipt of Council Tax Support, a scheme where those on a low income or benefits including Universal Credit can get money off the bill.

The council said those who are eligible for the support will receive the payment in the autumn and winter.

A qualifying date for when you need to have been in receipt of Council Tax Support to be eligible for the support has not yet been set.

So if you think you may be eligible for the support it might be worth submitting an application.

You can find out more by vising leeds.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund.

• North Somerset

North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need.

This will be automatically given to families eligible for free school meals.

The council is also distributing £50 food vouchers to support other vulnerable residents, including:

• Those on council tax reduction (CTR) which can be accessed through those on benefits including UC
• Pensioners
• People with severe mental impairments
• Care leavers
• Housing benefit claimants not already receiving CTR.

• Portsmouth

Residents in Portsmouth in financial hardship and struggling to afford essentials, can apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000 as part of the Household Support Fund.

Those on Universal Credit and other benefits can apply but you don’t need to be.

However the city is closing applications in just days on June 12 so you’ll need to move quickly.

You’ll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts.

You also need to tell what you’ve done to improve your financial situation and why you need help.

The exact amount you receive depends on household size -the maximum amount is for six or more of £800.

Whereas one person gets £350, two people £420, three people £500, four people £600, and five people £700.

Households deemed to be in the highest level of need can be awarded a further £200 taking the total payment up to £1,000.

Apply online at the Portsmouth city council website.

• Reading

Thousands of residents in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks.

Households containing children eligible for free school meals are eligible.

Care levers will also be receiving a voucher payment of £125. 

For most care leavers this voucher will be sent to them by the Post Office, with some others being provided directly by the Leaving Care Team.

Vouchers will be sent in July and December 2025 and will need to be cashed by the end of September 2025, and January 2026.

• Redcar & Cleveland

Households in Redcar & Cleveland can now apply for support worth up to £230.

How much you can get depends on different factors such as whether you have children or not.

For example, if you are household without children receiving Council Tax Support you will receive a payment of £116.

And if you have one or more dependent children in your household and claiming the support you will receive £230.

Those with children who don’t receive Council Tax Support but have a low household income and are financially struggling will also receive £230.

• Worcestershire

Families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500.

You’ll need to be below earning limits as follows:

• £24,570 or less (for a single adult with no children)
• £31,000 or less (for all other households)

You must also have no savings, unless you’re of state pension age – in which case you can have up to £5,000.

You can be on Universal Credit but at least one person in your household must meet ONE of the following:

• Be of state pension age
• Have a long-term diagnosed health condition or be registered disabled
• Have a child under four
• Be in receipt of DWP benefits like Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, PIP or Disability Living Allowance
• Be receiving support from services such as food banks, Citizens Advice, Age UK, mental health or housing support, or your GP’s social prescribing team

• Windsor and Maidenhead

Households in the Royal borough can get payments of up to £150 to ease pressures.

However, the council isn’t accepting applications directly instead you’ll need to contact its partners.

The overarching partner is Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB) and should be the first port of call for residents needing support.

What if my area isn’t on the list?

Some councils have very limited application windows for support.

If you don’t see your council on the list, visit their website and look for information on the Household Support Fund.

If there is a date that applications open, make a calendar note and apply as soon as it opens.

Some councils will close for applications as soon as cash is distributed – in some cases this can be on the very same day that applications open.

Other councils automatically give cash to those in receipt of certain benefits such as free school meals or coucil tax support.

Check the Household Support Fund pages on your local council website to find details of what’s on offer and how to apply.