Update on the move by the Department of Work and Pensions from the Household Support Fund (which will run to 31 March 2026) to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (which will launch on 1 April 2026). 

The new national guidance means there will be some changes to how the fund is managed and allocated from April 2026. RBK are working to ensure these changes are carried out in a phased way that maintains access to support for residents who need it.

 

What this means for you: 

 

Free school meal holiday vouchers

• Means-tested free school meal holiday vouchers will continue to be issued up to and including the Easter school holiday period. 
• From the May half term onwards, including the summer 2026 school holiday, we will be moving from vouchers to individual payments through a direct application process.
• More information on how to apply and where to get help with applications will be shared soon. 

 

It’s important to say that there will be no gap in support and families will still be able to get help with food over the school holidays. 

 

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments will be delivered through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. There will be no change to who can apply or who can receive support. 

 

Ongoing support for residents 

Residents who are experiencing a financial crisis will also continue to receive help as we move into the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. Alongside immediate crisis payments, the new fund will make it simpler for residents to get advice, wellbeing support, and connections to local services, helping with their immediate need as well as looking at how to help them stay out of crisis long-term. We will continue to work closely with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector to ensure that there is a wide range of support available. 

 

The transition to the new fund is expected to be complete by July 2026.

 

Next steps

Work is underway to put in place these new arrangements in a way that ensures support continues to be provided as quickly and smoothly as possible during and after the transition to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. This includes setting out clearly who is eligible for the new fund and ensuring referral routes are effective and link into wider support and community services. 

 

If you have any questions, please email householdsupportfund@kingston.gov.uk.