Over £65million is left from the Government’s cost of living scheme – but there is not long left to claim it.
The cost of living help comes from the Household Support Fund scheme, which has given local councils pots of cash to support struggling households in their area. The amount of money given to each authority depends on the size and population of the area, with larger, more densely populated areas receiving more cash to spend. You can only receive support from your local council, and each area decides how to spend its funding.
This means it can be a postcode lottery on the support you can get. Over the last few years, the help provided by councils has ranged from free cash payments, council tax discounts, and supermarket and energy vouchers. The funding has also been given to food banks, heating hubs, and other local organisations.
It was first launched under the former Tory government in 2021, and has been extended several time since. In September last year, Labour extended the scheme for another six months giving it a further £421million in funding. The scheme is due to end on March 31, 2025, and it is expected to come to an end completely on this date – although Labour has not officially confirmed this in 2025.
With each round of funding, local councils needed to spend the entirety of their allocated funding. If not, any left needs to be returned to the government. Exclusive figures obtained by responsible lender Creditspring through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to councils in England have revealed that £65.2million worth of funding is still available – even though the deadline is just over two weeks away.
According to the data, exclusively shared with the Mirror, over 20 councils have more than £1million left in their Household Support Fund pots. Over £20million of the total outstanding amount is available from just 10 councils. According to the data, Surrey County Council has £ 3.5 million worth of funding left, which is the most of all councils that responded to the FOI requests.
The second is Norfolk County Council with £3.3 million, and then Staffordshire County Council with £2.5 million. The councils with the least amount of funding left are Guilford Borough, which has only £2,500 left to spend, and Broxbourne Council, which only has £1,485.
In total, there are 317 local authorities in England, and Credit Spring’s data only covers 133 councils that responded to the FOI requests, which were submitted to councils on February 2, 2025. This means that some councils will have less funding left in their pot as we approach the deadline.
Neil Kadagathur, CEO and Co-Founder of Creditspring, said: “It’s been another punishing winter for household finances. Schemes such as the Household Support Fund can provide a lifeline for those struggling to afford rising bills but with millions left unclaimed, it is clear that vulnerable people are missing out on much-needed support.
“Navigating government websites can be overwhelming, making it difficult for people to determine which benefits they’re entitled to. Creditspring’s Benefits Finder tool simplifies the process, unlocking access to benefits they may not even realise they qualify for.
“Borrowing can also provide a lifeline in this difficult financial climate, but high interest rates and hidden fees often add further strain over time. Creditspring offers access to safe, transparent and affordable short-term credit options that prevent people from spiralling into debt and contribute to improving the financial wellbeing of its customers.”
If you have not yet claimed help from your local council’s Household Support Fund, then you should act quickly. Gov.uk has a search tool that lets you find the contact details for your council. All you need to do is enter your postcode by using this link to see who your local authority is. You can find out who your local council is through the official Gov.uk page here.
Alternatively, you should be sent council tax letters yearly that state who your local authority is. Each council details what support they are offering on their website – alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, they will have a separate cost of living tab which details the help on offer.
Each council will have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly. The majority of councils require applicants to provide proof they are on a low income or are in “financial distress”. This proof can be things such as bank statements and bills. If you are still unsure, you should contact your local authority directly for more information.
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