UK Councils Issue £150 Council Tax Support

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Thousands of households across the United Kingdom are receiving a £150 one-off payment through council tax support, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and distributed via the Household Support Fund (HSF). The scheme, which runs until 31 August 2025, is being managed by local authorities, including Bromley London Borough Council.

Introduced during the pandemic, the Household Support Fund continues to assist households facing financial pressure but who may fall outside traditional welfare schemes. Under the current phase, eligible residents may receive one of three types of assistance: a supermarket voucher, a virtual energy voucher, or a £150 deduction from their council tax.

Eligibility is not restricted to those claiming benefits. Those not on welfare but still facing hardship are encouraged to apply, as long as they meet local financial criteria. Applicants who received help during earlier phases of the funds HSF5 and HSF6, which ran from April 2024 to March 2025, may still be considered. However, councils are prioritising first-time applicants.

Bromley Council, which is one of several authorities participating in the initiative, said in a recent statement: “The Household Support Fund is designed to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in the most need with the cost of essentials.” Each household is only eligible for one award, and payments do not have to be repaid or affect other benefit entitlements.

The renewed funding comes at a time when many UK families are under growing financial strain. Despite government statements that inflation is falling, essential costs such as energy, food and housing continue to rise. Local authorities are experiencing increased demand for assistance, particularly from working families finding it harder to meet everyday expenses.

While the £150 support will not solve long-term financial challenges, it offers some short-term relief. Councils, working within limited budgets, are using the fund to target support where it is most urgently needed.

The programme also reflects a wider shift in the burden of support from national departments to local authorities. With stretched resources, councils are stepping in to fill service gaps at a time when public confidence in broader government-led cost-of-living support remains limited.

Although some have raised concerns over the sustainability of relying on short-term schemes like HSF, for many households, this council tax credit represents a critical stopgap during an uncertain period.

Residents who believe they may qualify for assistance are advised to check their local authority’s website. Application processes vary by council, and in many cases, support is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.