Household support fund

If you live in Islington and get pension credit, you can apply for help with household costs through the Household Support Fund. 

We know that some people on pension credit may find it hard to pay for things like food and energy bills. This fund is here to help.

Who can apply 

You can apply if you: 

• are 66 years or older (State Pension age) 
• are on low income and receive pension credit, guarantee credit or savings credit 
• live in Islington as your main and permanent address

We will use Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data and other systems to check that you receive or have claimed pension credit. 

What you can get   

If your application is successful: 

• you will get £200 as a one-off payment  
• the money will be sent by the Post Office
• you will get a letter that tells you how to collect the money

If you want the money sent to your bank account, you must upload a bank statement with your name and address when you apply. 

There is only one payment per household and money is limited, so apply as soon as you can.  

We may refer you to other local services that could help you.

What happens after you apply 

• You will get a letter from the Post Office if your application is successful. 
• Take the letter to the Post Office to get your £200 cash payment.
• If your application is not successful, we will write to you and explain why.

We try to make a decision within 21 days of getting your application.

Once all the money has been given out, we will close applications. 

Apply now

If you need help to make the application, call us on 020 7527 8222.  

About the Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund aims to provide crisis support to vulnerable households, helping those most in need with the cost of essentials. The fund is provided by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP).

Islington has been allocated £3,909,440.47 for the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

This fund will help those with essential living costs such as:

• households with holiday free school meals and low-income households with children under school age
• low-income households that don't have many of their own resources, including pensioners, disabled people and carers
• helping foster carers and those with very high housing costs

Automatic payments to eligible residents

Some of you will get an automatic payment (a letter and voucher). We find who needs support using our benefits and support records, for example if you are on:

• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax reduction scheme
• any other support we provide

We will send you a Post Office voucher. 

Text message scams

Some people are using fake Household Support Fund information to scam you. We will not send you:

• a text message about the Household Support Fund
• an email asking you to make a payment to Islington Council before you get a Household Support Fund payment