Household Support Fund
Crisis & Resilience Fund
The Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) is coming to an end, and from 1 April 2026 it will be replaced by a new national scheme called the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). The CRF is designed to support low‑income households who experience a financial shock, while also helping to strengthen longer‑term financial resilience.
Local authorities have discretion over how the fund is used, in line with the latest Government guidance. You can read the national guidance here: GOV.UK – Crisis and Resilience Fund: Guidance for local authorities in England [gov.uk]
We are currently reviewing the national guidance and developing RBWM’s local scheme. Support will still be available, but it will be more targeted and based on individual need, rather than repeating one‑off payments like the previous £150 HSF awards.
Full details — including eligibility, how to apply for Crisis Payments or Housing Payments, and information on wider support from local services and partners — will be published here as soon as they are available.
There is no need to contact us about the CRF at this stage.
We will update this page as soon as further information is confirmed.
In the meantime, residents can continue to access help through our Here to Help hub [https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/hub-page/here-to-help] which sets out the support currently available for those experiencing financial insecurity
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided local government with the Household Support Fund for the period April 2025 - March 2026.
The objective of the Fund is to provide support to vulnerable households in most need of support, to help with significantly rising living costs through two different schemes: a £150 payment made directly to residents and vouchers which are provided during the school holidays to children who would usually receive Free School Meals.
This page explains how to claim the £150 payment. To find out more information about the free school meal vouchers, please click here.
How do I apply?
RBWM is working with a selection of delivery partners to allocate the Household Support Fund to residents.
Residents must contact the delivery partners directly to access the fund not the council. Please find their contact details below.
Residents will be given a Unique Reference Number by the partner and a link to an online application form, to enable them to apply for the £150 cash payment.
The Fund is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by our delivery partners. This discretionary fund is allocated to mitigate financial hardship for those in need.
To apply, you must be over 18, a borough resident, and demonstrate financial need; however, the delivery partner makes the final decision on all applications.
Who are the delivery partners?
To access the Household Support Fund, please contact one of the following delivery partners or visit your local library:
1. Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB)
The overarching partner for this scheme. They should be the first port of call for residents needing support
CAEB have a drop-in service at their office in Maidenhead on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am-12pm. Address: 4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7YR.
Clients contacting CAEB for other advice may also be referred to the Household Support Fund where appropriate.
2. Abri Housing Association
Abri is a Social Housing provider and can support residents in need that live in an Abri property.
- Telephone: 0300 123 1 567 or
- Visit Abri’s Customer Support webpage.
3. Housing Solutions
Housing Solutions can provide the Household Support Fund for Housing Solution tenants only
- Telephone: 01628 543101
- Email: income@housingsolutions.co.uk.
4. RBWM Housing Service
Authorised to issue Household Support Fund codes to residents facing housing hardship.
Telephone: 01628 683221
5. Age Concern Windsor
Dedicated support for vulnerable and older adults.
- Telephone: 01753 860685 - (Voice Mail)
- Email: info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk
6. Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Social Prescribing service for the Primary Care networks
Connects people to non-medical support within the community, helping them improve their wellbeing through activities, services, and groups that matter to them. It focuses on the whole person, not just their medical needs, and offers support with things like loneliness, mental health, physical activity, or practical challenges.
- Access to social prescribers is via local GP practices.
7. West Windsor Hub
Support any Windsor resident needing assistance. There is no set criteria, but we conduct a brief financial check to understand specific circumstances before issuing the Household Support Fund.
- Telephone: 01753 342 110
- Website: www.westwindsorhub.org.uk
8. The Baby Bank
The Baby Bank can provide support with items for children 0-18 such as school uniform and clothing. Please only contact Baby Bank regarding the Household Support Fund if you are a family with children.
- Email: info@thebabybank.org
9. Maidenhead Foodshare
Providing essential food relief to Maidenhead Residents experiencing food insecurity, ensuring everyone has access to sufficient food to meet basic needs.
- Email: info@foodshare.charity
- Emergency answerphone: 01628 262711
- Website (with address and opening times): www.foodshare.charity
10. Windsor Foodshare
Providing essential food relief to Windsor Residents experiencing food insecurity, ensuring everyone has access to sufficient food to meet basic needs.
11. Maidenhead United FC Community Trust
Provide Household Support Fund codes to residents and families in RBWM who are in financial need and at risk of escalation of problems.
- Email: wellbeing@maidenheadunitedfc-community.org
- Telephone: 01628 636314 (choose ‘Wellbeing Service’ option)
12. Adult Social Care Front Door Team
The Front Door Team is the initial point of contact for people within the borough who are making contact with social services for the first time. The team provide advice, signposting to alternative services, onward referrals, occupational therapy equipment as well as completing statutory assessments in line with the Care Act 2014.
13. Achieving for Children
Provide children and their families with the support and services to live happy, healthy, and successful lives. Household Support Fund codes may be issued to families we support facing financial hardship.
14. Maidenhead Mosque
Provides a wide range of facilities and services for the local community and partners with RBWM to issue Household Support Fund codes for residents facing hardship.
- Email: info@maidenheadmosque.org
- Telephone: 01628 629423
16. RBWM Financial Inclusion
If you are a resident of RBWM and you ae struggling financially, Financial Inclusion Officers may be able to help you, by applying for a Household Support Fund payment on your behalf.
17. K Community Foundation
Delivering essential local services and providing direct Household Support Fund codes to vulnerable local residents.
- Email: saqib@kcommunityfoundation.org
- Telephone: 07825640015
18. Windsor Homeless Project
Enabling homeless and vulnerable people to rebuild their lives.
19. Hope Church Sunningdale
Aims to particularly support residents living in Sunningdale, Sunninghill and Ascot. Anyone can attend Tuesday's food share event between 12-1pm. Local residents may enquire about the Household Support Fund during this event or via email.
- Email: hello@hopechurchsunningdale.org.uk
- Website: https://hopechurchsunningdale.org.uk
20. Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Aims to support residents living in Maidenhead with debt support. Their free, expert debt help will advise on the best route out of debt, and offer different types of support to help you become debt free.
- Telephone: 0800 328 0006
- Website: https://capuk.org/get-help
Can I reapply?
If you have previously received the Household Support Fund before April 2025, you may reapply by getting in touch with the partner who you originally contacted.
Further Questions
Please refer to our list of Frequently Asked Questions at the top right of this page for further information. Any additional questions can be addressed to volunteer@rbwm.gov.uk.
