Household Support Fund: Yorkshire residents told to apply for £250 cost of living payment before 2026 deadline
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Extra help is available for people under financial pressure, but many households haven’t applied yet 💷
- East Riding households have until February 27 to apply for a £250 cost of living payment
- The support is available to low-income residents, even if they are not on benefits
- Payments come from the government’s Household Support Fund and are paid within around 20 days
- The council says thousands may still be eligible but haven’t applied yet
- Extra help is also available, including food support, heating help and debt advice
Households across the East Riding of Yorkshire have just weeks left to claim a £250 cost of living payment, and thousands could still be missing out.
The one-off payment is available through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), designed to help people on low incomes cope with rising everyday costs such as food, energy and essential household bills.
With energy bills still high and household budgets under pressure, the council is urging anyone who may be struggling financially to check whether they qualify before the deadline passes.
Applications are open until Friday, February 27, after which the support will no longer be available.
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Since the scheme began in October 2021, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has distributed £14 million in support, helping more than 15,000 households since April 2025 alone. Despite this, officials believe many eligible residents have yet to apply.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, cabinet member for finance and governance, said residents are strongly encouraged to check their eligibility: “We highly encourage residents who may be struggling to find out if they are eligible for this scheme, and to find out more about the support we are able to provide.”
Who can get the £250 payment?
The Household Support Fund is aimed at residents on low incomes who are facing financial hardship or cost of living challenges.
You do not need to be receiving benefits to apply, and eligibility is assessed based on individual circumstances. Successful applicants will receive a £250 payment, typically within 20 days of approval.
How to apply if you live in the East Riding
Applying is straightforward and can be done in one of two ways:
- Online: Visit eryc.link/hsf and complete the application form
- By phone: Call East Riding of Yorkshire Council on 01482 393939
The council recommends applying as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
As part of its wider Help for Households campaign, the council also offers benefit and debt advice through its Your Money team and trusted partners, alongside free courses to help residents avoid longer-term financial problems.
What other help is available locally?
The Household Support Fund doesn’t stop at cash payments. Funding has also been used to provide:
- £1.7 million in free school meal vouchers for eligible families during school holidays in 2025–26
- £70,000 for the Emergency Assistance Scheme for residents in crisis
- £417,000 for food banks, heating help, healthy homes initiatives, rural oil co-operatives and essential white goods
Emergency support information is available at eastriding.gov.uk/living/emergency-assistance, while local food banks can be found via erfpa.org.uk/find-a-foodbank.
What if you don’t live in the East Riding?
The Household Support Fund is delivered by local councils across England, meaning similar help may be available where you live.
To check what support your council offers, visit your local authority’s website or search online for “[your council] Household Support Fund”.
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