Support for Households Affected by the Heating Oil Crisis
We understand the difficulties many households are facing due to the current heating oil crisis.
We understand this is putting real pressure on residents across the county, especially those on lower incomes.
We are working to create a support scheme to help the households most affected, with a particular focus on low-income heating oil users.
As soon as full details are ready including;
- who is eligible
- and how to apply
we will publish this information.
Thank you for your patience while we work to ensure support reaches the people who need it most.
Household Support Fund - Closing 31 March 2026
The Household Support Fund (HSF) will close on 31 March 2026 and will not be renewed. This follows the Governments decision to end the national scheme and replace it with a new long term approach to financial crisis support.
All automatic HSF payments have now been issued. There will be no further automatic payments under this scheme.
A New Scheme is Coming: Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)
From 01 April 2026, the Government is launching a new scheme called the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This fund will replace the Household Support Fund.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to:
- Provide support to low income households experiencing a sudden financial shock
- Help prevent crises before they escalate
- Increase long term financial resilience through working with the Council and other partners
This represents a shift away from the short term, cost of living focused model of the Household Support Fund and towards a system that offers both crisis help and preventative support.
More details about Cornwall's Crisis and Resilience Fund scheme will be published shortly.
In the meantime, the following help is available
Extra help during the school holidays
Extra help during school holidays is available through the Time2Move Holiday Programme.
This offers fun physical activities, games and wider activities plus a meal for all children. Places are available free of charge to children receiving benefits-related Free School Meals.
You can still apply for help from the Household Support Fund by contacting one of the following organisations.
Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Inspiring people and communities to age and live well.
To find out more about Age UK Cornwall's range of support and services, please call: 01872 266383 or email: gateway@ageukcornwall.org.uk
A wide range of support including debt and benefit advice. Call the Adviceline on 0808 812 7156 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm or visit Citizens Advice Cornwall
A wide range of support to people living with a long-term health condition or disability. Call DIAL on 01736 759500 or email advice@dialcornwall.org.uk
A range of high quality support services for unpaid Carers throughout Cornwall.
These services include
- emotional support
- information, advice and guidance
- statutory assessment
- access to grants
- community support
- carer specific training
- dedicated services for Young Adult Carers (16-25 year old Carers) and Young Carers.
Visit the Cornwall Carers website or call 01736 756655.
Accessing other support
A range of support is already available through a number of organisations and schemes. These can be found on our cost of living support webpage.
The Cornwall Worrying About Money? leaflet is a simple resource for people facing financial crisis and those supporting them. It helps to quickly see available advice and support options and which agencies are best placed to help.
You can also use our new Better Off benefits and budgeting calculator. This will help you find out about any benefits that you could be entitled to and other ways you may be able to increase your household income.
Citizens Advice Cornwall can also offer a wide range of support including debt and benefit advice. Call 0808 812 7156, 10am – 4pm Mon-Fri.
Follow the links below for the information and advice currently available for anyone at risk of, or experiencing financial hardship.
- Cost of living hub
- Crisis and Care awards
- Council tax support
- Discretionary housing payments
- Support for residents struggling with the cost of living
- Transformation Cornwall Grants List
- Help with Food | Let's Talk Cornwall
- Community Energy Plus | Independent Energy Experts
- How to apply – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
Mental Health
People are also reminded that there is a wealth of support available for anyone struggling with their mental health. Please visit our mental health support pages.
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health call the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 24/7 NHS mental health response line on 0800 038 5300. It's free to access by anyone, any age, any time, day or night.
Further reading about the fund
You can read more information about how the decisions were made about the allocations in the Individual Decision report.