Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund provides emergency funding towards food and fuel costs for Hackney residents struggling with financial hardship. 

The payments do not need to be paid back.

The scheme is funded by the UK government and is running from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Who the Household Support Fund is for

Under our scheme, children who are eligible for free school meals in Hackney state-funded primary and secondary schools should receive a food voucher during the school holidays. If you do not receive this voucher or have any queries, contact the school about this.

Each council runs a different scheme. If you live outside of Hackney, check with your local council to find out who’s eligible and how to apply.

How to access the Household Support Fund

In most cases, if you’re eligible you do not need to apply because we’ll contact you. If you’re known to council services then your usual team will contact you.
For school holiday vouchers, your child’s school will contact you instead.

If you haven’t been contacted but need support

Until 31 March 2025, there is also some discretionary support available to residents on an application basis.
Before applying, it’s important to note:

• we cannot guarantee that you’ll get support if you apply
• any support we do provide will depend on demand at the time you apply
• all support is discretionary
• we assess each application individually

Those with no recourse to public funds are not eligible for this funding.

To be considered for this discretionary support you need to apply to Hackney Here to Help.

You may also find more help on GOV.UK – cost of living support.