Household Support Fund (DWP)

On 19 March 2025, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that the Household Support Fund would be extended for a further 12 months, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The funding is available until 31 March 2026 or until it is fully allocated.

We have received additional funding to support households struggling with the rising heating oil costs.

This follows recent national announcements confirming extra support for households reliant on heating oil. Particularly in rural areas, where prices have risen sharply and are not covered by the energy price cap. Around 1.5 to 1.7 million UK households rely on heating oil. 

Funding is limited and available until 31 March 2026 or until fully allocated.

Heating oil support

At this time, the application route is reopen for heating oil applications only. 

Wider funding through the Government Crisis and Resilience Fund will be available from April 2026. Please check back for updates.

Demand for support is high, but you may be able to get help if you are facing significant hardship.

Heating oil prices have increased significantly due to global events affecting oil supply. Some households are seeing costs double or more in a short period. 

Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is not protected by the Ofgem price cap. This means households can face sudden and unexpected price rises. 

This funding is intended to provide targeted support to low-income households most affected by these increases.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you are experiencing financial hardship, such as:

• you cannot afford to purchase heating oil
• you are struggling to pay for essentials such as food
• you have little or no income and no savings available

Information you'll need as part of your application

You will be asked to provide:

• your contact details and address 
• the number of people in your household 
• details of any benefits you receive 
• information about your heating oil costs or financial situation 
• whether you need support with food

Evidence required

You may need to provide proof of the following:  

• your address - a recent bill (dated within the last 6 months)
• your identity - a driving licence, passport, or birth/marriage certificate
• financial hardship - a recent heating oil quote or invoice, or evidence showing you cannot afford to purchase heating oil
• if you have children under 18 - documents such as a birth certificate, school letter, or benefit statement

Make an application

Your application may be refused if there is no clear evidence of financial hardship, or insufficient supporting evidence.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. This funding is limited up to the end of March 2026.

Apply online 

Contact us

If you need help with an application, or if you have any questions, please contact us.

Customer Services Team
Telephone: 0300 373 3300 (option 2, option 2, HSF option 1)

Calls from a landline will cost up to 16p per minute and can cost anywhere from 3p to 65p per minute if calling from a mobile. Please check with your network provider for call charges to this number. 

Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm and Friday 9am to 2:30pm.

Beware of scams

We don't need your bank details and never ask for them over the telephone.

If you get calls from people asking for your bank details and claiming to be us, be careful and:

• report the call to police Action Fraud
• contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline for advice if you need it on 0808 223 1133
• alert your bank, if you have given out your bank details