Deadline: 22-Jan-2026
Community and voluntary organisations, as well as town, parish, and community councils, can apply for grant funding to support local initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable households access food, utilities, and stay warm. A total of £500,000 is being made available through Community Grants to support local responses based on community needs. This funding can also be accessed by professionals or organisations seeking urgent crisis support for residents in exceptional situations.
The fund is part of the Household Support Fund, which is backed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Hampshire County Council has received over £12.5 million from this fund and intends to work with the voluntary and community sector to provide both immediate assistance and longer-term support. The main focus is to address food and utility needs among vulnerable residents.
There is no fixed minimum or maximum grant amount, but most applications are expected to fall between £5,000 and £15,000. The fund is open to projects supporting people of all ages, though there is particular interest in initiatives that help older people, adult carers, individuals with mental health challenges, and those with physical or learning disabilities. While the fund has previously supported services for children and young people, this round encourages wider inclusion.
Schools and educational institutions can also apply if they have specific plans to assist families in significant need, particularly when the support required exceeds what can be covered by their discretionary grant allocation. In urgent situations, crisis grants may be requested by professionals or organisations when emergency support is needed before the regular application process opens.
For more information, visit Hampshire County Council.
