The Household Support Fund helps vulnerable households affected by the cost-of-living crisis. If you qualify for a targeted payment of £130, payment will be made in October/November 2025. Only one payment will be made for the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Support for families with children eligible for Free School Meals
The scheme will help around 47,000 children in Manchester, it includes:
- £30 per child for the 2025/2026 Easter holiday
- £15 per child for the 2025/2026 May half-term
- £50 per child for the 2025/2026 Summer holiday
- £15 per child for the 2025/2026 October half-term
- £30 per child for the 2025/2026 Christmas holiday
- £15 per child for the 2025/2026 February half-term
Payments will be distributed by Manchester schools. Arrangements will be made for children attending school outside Manchester. This includes pupils in nursery classes and sixth form.
Support for Care Leavers
Care leavers under 25 living in their own tenancies will receive:
- £10 per week for up to 52 weeks.
Payments will be managed by the Leaving Care Team.
Support for households receiving specific benefits
Households receiving Council Tax Support and a disability benefit, for example, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will get £130. Only one payment will be made per household.
Payments
- If you pay council tax by Direct Debit: Payments will go directly into your bank account.
- If you pay council tax by cash at PayPoint, or by Standing order, bank transfer or online, or if you have no council tax to pay: You'll receive a Post Office Payout voucher by post. It can be cashed at any Post Office.
Payments will be made in late October/early November 2025. Post Office vouchers will be sent over two weeks starting in late October. We'll update this page to confirm the dates.
Other funding
- £250,000 for the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector.
- £40,000 for the Welfare Provision Scheme to support energy and household costs in a crisis.
Applying for urgent support
Residents in crisis can apply for help from the Welfare Provision Scheme (WPS). £40,000 of the fund is allocated to this scheme, allowing two payments within 12 months. If eligible, the second award will be funded by the Household Support Fund.
If you need urgent help, complete the WPS application form and choose 'other reason' as the reason for assistance.
If you'd like to contact us please complete our contact form.
