Exeter City Council has received further funding from the Household Support Fund to provide support to low-income households through the winter months.

Running until the end of March 2025, the sixth Household Support Fund will continue to provide much needed additional help with the high cost of essentials. The scheme is outlined below along with when we expect to be opening Project 2 for applications. Any updates to the scheme will be published here.

Project 1 – Direct award to low-income pensioners losing the Winter Fuel Payment

From this winter, the pensioner Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 per eligible household, will be linked to awards of Pension Credit for the first time. Large numbers of households do not claim Pension Credit, despite being entitled to receive it. These customers will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment. As fuel costs remain high, we will be providing additional support to the lowest income households losing this payment. During November we will be identifying households missing out despite being entitled to means-tested Council Tax Support. A Household Support Fund award of £200 will be sent automatically to the households we identify, without the need to make a claim.

Pension Credit claims made by 21 December can still give entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment if they can be backdated. We will be working to encourage and support people to make a Pension Credit claim through to the deadline. If you know someone who may be entitled, you can find out more at on the Pension Credit website.

Project 2 - Application scheme

Remaining funds will be used to run an application scheme in the same way as Household Support Fund 5. Applications can be made by any low-income residents in need of extra help with the cost of essentials. The scheme will open once Project 1 has concluded and earlier if possible. Updates will be added to this page along with details of eligibility criteria. Please note this is not a crisis payment scheme and awards are not guaranteed. All claims will be looked at individually to determine whether to make an award and if so how much to grant.

Find out about other projects being provided as part of the Household Support Fund from Devon.