Millions of UK families 'may be missing out' as fund extended

Families grappling with rising costs are being encouraged to check whether they qualify for additional financial assistance - following a new alert from energy regulator Ofgem. The watchdog has drawn attention to the Government's Household Support Fund, cautioning that millions could be overlooking help that can cover essentials such as energy, food and water bills . In a social media post, Ofgem stated: "You might be eligible for help from the government's Household Support Fund... apply through your local council for financial support with essentials including utility bills ." The programme, originally launched during the pandemic, has been consistently extended and is now scheduled to continue until March 2027, with councils distributing funds to those in greatest need. It operates as a discretionary allocation of money provided to local authorities, who determine how to distribute support most effectively - meaning eligibility and amounts vary by location. Importantly, households don't necessarily need to be claiming benefits to qualify, with assistance targeted broadly at anyone struggling to afford basic necessities. Support may include: Cash grants or bank payments Supermarket or energy vouchers Direct help with gas, electricity or water bills Assistance with food, clothing and other essentials According to official Government guidance, the fund is distributed to councils, who are best positioned to identify vulnerable residents and provide targeted assistance. Ministers initially stated the scheme would offer a "lifeline" for households struggling to manage everyday expenses, including utilities and food. Each council determines: Its own eligibility criteria Application procedure Type and level of assistance This means payouts can differ significantly - from modest voucher amounts to payments worth several hundred pounds in certain areas. Recent local schemes have provided assistance ranging from approximately £150 to £300 or more per household, depending on circumstances and available funding. Unlike previous nationwide cost-of-living payments, this assistance is not automatic. Instead, households must: Check their local council website Apply directly (in most instances) Supply evidence of financial difficulty Funding is also capped - and once a council's allocation is exhausted, no additional help may be accessible. Officials have also cautioned that fraudsters sometimes target the scheme. Councils emphasise they will not request bank details through unsolicited messages, and residents should only apply via official websites. Ofgem's intervention indicates that, despite the substantial support available, awareness remains poor - leaving many families potentially missing out on crucial help.