Access support with energy bills and food with the help of funding from the Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Energy, food and other support for households in need
We are working with Citizens Advice Plymouth to provide support to residents who are most in need.
Residents will receive not only financial assistance but also advice on income maximisation, managing household bills, benefits, and debt if required.
Households in need and experiencing financial difficulty who meet the funding eligibility criteria can access support in the following ways:
- Make an appointment by telephone or face-to-face at Cobourg House. Contact Citizens Advice Plymouth on 0808 278 7910.
- Attend a drop-in session, which are held community locations, libraries and Wellbeing Hubs throughout the year. See the full list of upcoming community sessions.
Some residents who we know fit the eligibility criteria may also be contacted directly through letters in the post and with a follow up phone call, where they will be invited to make an appointment for advice, information and access to funds.
Citizens Advice Plymouth also welcome referrals from professionals who are supporting individuals that may benefit from this service.
There is no online application process this year.
What support is available
Eligible households will be offered support in the form of vouchers for energy, supermarkets, white goods, clothing, and other essential household items.
Typically, one voucher is issued per household. However, in emergency situations or where specific criteria are met, additional applications may be considered.
To access this support, applicants must complete an appointment with Citizens Advice Plymouth, where they will have access to tailored advice based on their circumstances and be assessed for eligibility under the fund criteria. As part of this appointment, applicants will need to complete a household budget with an adviser.
This budget will be used to assess eligibility for the Household Support Fund.
Eligibility Criteria
The fund is only for residents living in Plymouth who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Households must also fall into one of the eligible categories:
- households with at least one child under 18 who resides in the property on a permanent basis
- households where someone has a disability or a long-term health condition
- households where someone has reached pension age
- households with a single occupant receiving help with housing costs
Energy support for households with health conditions or disability
We are working with Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) to provide support to residents who are vulnerable to cold, damp homes and who live with a long-term health condition or disability.
Eligibility
If you’re receiving support from a health worker, Wellbeing Hub or social care service due to a long-term condition or disability and you struggle to meet energy bills, you can ask to access the Household Support Fund:
- Through a professional referral to Plymouth Energy Community from a health or social care worker
- Some residents who we know fit the eligibility criteria may also be contacted directly by letters in the post and with a follow up phone call. Plymouth City Council is making direct contact with around 500 households by letter to offer support which will be followed up by a phone call from a PEC Energy Advisor to talk through the options for help.
You may be eligible for support such as:
- Direct payments to your energy supplier
- Fuel vouchers
- Damp and mould repairs or kits to treat issues
- Heating or plumbing repairs
- Simple energy efficiency measures, such as heated blankets or radiator panels
- Energy advice to resolve issues or make bills more affordable.
Find more information on the Plymouth Energy Community website.
Food Support
Families with children eligible for Free School Meals will receive food vouchers during the school holidays, including the 2025 Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, May and October half term, and February 2026 half term.
Vouchers will be provided at the value of £11 per child, per week.
Check if you’re eligible for free school meals.
There are also a number of community larders and foodbanks across the city, which you can find on the Food Access Map run by Plymouth Food Aid Network
Emergency food or energy vouchers
Plymouth Foodbank can help with food or top-up energy vouchers in an emergency but you need to be referred. Find out how to get help from Plymouth Foodbank.
If you are hungry or cold and need access to hot food, the Plymouth Soup Run provides nutritious food at a variety of locations, 365 days of the year. Find out more on the Plymouth Soup Run website.
Support for unpaid carers of family or friends
If you provide unpaid care for a family member or friend, find support by registering with the Improving Lives Plymouth Caring for Carers service.
You can register as a carer online.
Email: [email protected] or call 01752 201890.
More cost of living support
To see all the support available, visit our cost of living pages.
