Support for Struggling Island Households - DWP Household Support Fund

Households on the Isle of Wight will benefit from extended financial assistance with the cost of food, utilities, and wider essentials thanks to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) extension of the Household Support Fund (HSF). Available from early-June 2025 until March 2026, the fund provides £1.994 million to help eligible Island residents struggling to manage the continued cost of living pressures.

Ian Lloyd, Strategic Manager for Partnerships and Support Services, Isle of Wight Council, emphasised the importance of this funding: "Supporting our community through these challenging times is a top priority, as recognised in the Island’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The extended Household Support Fund will offer crucial assistance to those facing financial hardship."

Key Support Measures

• Supermarket Vouchers: A £25 one-off voucher will be distributed to up to 10,000 households receiving Local Council Tax Support as of 19 May 2025. These vouchers will be sent out in July. Pensioners in receipt of Local Council Tax Support as of 29 September 2025 will receive an additional supermarket voucher in November.
• Utility Support for Pensioners: Eligible pensioners will receive £75 pre-paid utility cards or vouchers between November and February, in addition to the supermarket voucher in November.
• Additional Vouchers: Up to three £25 supermarket vouchers will be available for households experiencing significant financial crises through Isle of Wight Council and partner organizations.
• Foodbank and Community Pantry Support: Essential food items will be provided to those in financial crisis need.
• Help Through Crisis: Support for utility debt, energy-efficient white goods, and emergency food assistance.
• Community Grants: Funding will be available for local initiatives offering crisis and preventative approaches through support and guidance, with application windows in June, September, and January.

For more information, visit the council’s cost of living web page, email hsf@iow.gov.uk, or call (01983) 823644.

This initiative aligns with the Isle of Wight’s Poverty Reduction Strategy 2024-2029, which aims to address financial hardship through targeted support, preventative measures, and long-term planning in partnership.