Household support fund

About the Household Support Fund, payments to children getting free school meals, how much payments are, and what to do if you do not get a payment.

About the Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund gives essential aid to residents facing financial hardship. This latest allocation of funds means we can offer further financial support during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The funding will be split between:

  • automatic payments to eligible residents
  • payments issued by schools to students getting free school meals
  • Haringey Support Fund

Funding extended from April 2025 to March 2026

The government has confirmed the extension of the Household Support Fund until March 2026.

We have received a grant of £4.2 million, which is allocated for the period April 2025 to March 2026. This funding is primarily intended to help eligible residents cover essential living expenses, including the cost of:

  • food
  • energy
  • water
  • other vital household bills

Automatic payments to eligible residents

Some eligible residents will get an automatic payment (a letter and voucher). We identify the residents who need support through our benefits and support records, including:

  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction scheme
  • other support we provide

Eligible residents will be sent a Post Office voucher.

This year, the council is receiving all of its funding for vouchers in one go, instead of in 2 parts like before.

We’ll be sending out vouchers in 2 rounds:

  • spring/summer vouchers – expected to be sent by the end of June 2025
  • autumn/winter vouchers – expected to go out in the first week of December 2025

These dates might change slightly if extra time is needed to check the information we hold.

Not everyone who receives a spring/summer voucher will automatically receive one in autumn/winter. This is because some households may no longer meet the eligibility criteria later in the year.

How to cash your Household Support Fund voucher

You can cash your voucher (exchange your voucher for cash) at any UK Post Office. When cashing your voucher, you must show 1 of these forms of identification:

  • a utility bill, like a gas or electricity bill, dated within the last 3 months
  • a bank statement dated within the last 3 months
  • your valid passport or driving licence
  • a debit or credit card in your name

If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you can sign up for the Post Office’s EasyID.

How much you’ll get

Most vouchers are a one-off payment of £100. Some may get more, depending on their circumstances.

If you do not get a payment

We understand we do not know the circumstances of all our residents. If you do not get an automatic payment and need support, you can apply for the Haringey Support Fund.

Payments for Children getting free school meals

If your child is eligible for Free School Meals and attends a school in Haringey, you will receive food vouchers to help support you during the school holidays:

  • the type of voucher you receive may vary depending on your child’s school
  • schools typically issue a £15 food voucher per week of holiday, usually during the last week of the school term
  • your school will also provide instructions on how to redeem the voucher

If you do not receive a voucher before the end of term, please contact your school directly. They will advise you on the next steps.

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