Gateshead Council in Tyne and Wear has secured approximately £3.2 million to continue helping local people with the costs of food and energy until 31 March 2026, or when the funding runs out (whichever is sooner). The grant is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is intended to ensure a safety net remains for households struggling to pay for basic household essentials.
Local residents can access help through vouchers, direct payments and small grants designed to prevent immediate hardship for those who do not qualify for other types of financial support. The Gateshead Council team manages these funds to help families meet heating bills and buy food during difficult periods.
A portion of the funding is distributed through Connected Voice’s ‘Small Grants Programme’, which allows local voluntary and community groups (VCSEs) to apply for grants to support residents in their neighbourhoods. According to the council’s Cabinet meeting report, the authority is focused on reaching families in the most deprived parts of the borough.
From 1 April 2026 the Household Support Fund will be replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, a multi-year fund (initially covering 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029) that the Government says is intended to provide greater stability and more preventative support so councils can focus on longer-term solutions rather than short-term emergency payments.
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