Many headlines claim UK households are set to receive £500 in September 2025. Here’s the accurate, up-to-date picture in simple English:
- There is no UK-wide, automatic £500 payment from the DWP in September 2025. The national Cost of Living Payment scheme (2022–2024) ended with the final £299 instalment in February 2024 and has not been extended for 2025.
- Real help still exists: Many councils in England are paying one-off grants or vouchers using the Household Support Fund (HSF), which the UK Government extended from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Award amounts vary by area, and some places offer up to £500 this month for eligible households.
This guide gives you everything you need to know—who may get £500, where, how to apply, key dates, and practical tips to improve your chances.
Key takeaways for September 2025
- No national DWP £500 payout this month (the 2022–24 scheme is over).
- Yes to local payments: Councils are running HSF schemes right now; several offer £150–£500 depending on household size, income, and vulnerabilities.
- Apply early: Many councils cap monthly slots or close early when funds run out.
What support is available in September?
Because HSF is locally managed, the amount, eligibility, documents, and application window differ by council.
Here are confirmed September examples:
- Stratford-on-Avon (Warwickshire) — SHEBS via Act on Energy: Up to £500 for families with children under 18 (or young people up to 21 in full-time education) and £300 for single/couple households, paid as energy supplier credit or prepayment voucher. Closing in September 2025 or sooner if funds run out.
- Kingston upon Thames — £300 one-off payment: Applications open on the first working day of each month with only 80 slots, first-come, first-served (HSF runs to March 2026).
- Portsmouth — Utilities Payment: £150 (single) or £200 (couple/families). Apply 2 Sept–27 Oct 2025, may close early if budget is used up. Income limits apply.
- Bromsgrove & Redditch — HSF Phase 7 open via Citizens Advice; awards vary (typical essentials grants). Council also warns of scam texts/emails claiming to be DWP.
- Nottinghamshire — HSF Summer Support payment runs to 30 Sept 2025; applications from 1 Oct 2025 receive Winter Support only.
Note: Devolved nations have their own arrangements. This article focuses on England’s HSF, which is officially funded through March 2026.
Who qualifies?
While each area sets its own rules, the following patterns are common:
- Residence in the relevant local authority.
- Low income and limited savings. Some schemes publish caps (e.g., £31,000 gross household income for multi-adult/with-children households under certain HSF routes).
- Vulnerability criteria (for example, disability/health conditions, caring responsibilities, energy debt, risk of self-disconnection).
- Evidence such as photo ID, proof of address, recent bank statements, benefit letters, and utility bills. Requirements vary by council.
Step-by-step: How to claim in September
- Find your council’s HSF page and look for September 2025 updates. Search for “Household Support Fund + your council”. Kingston opens on the first working day each month (80 slots), Portsmouth is open 2 Sept–27 Oct, and Stratford’s SHEBS is closing this month.
- Check the award and payment method (bank transfer, supermarket/energy voucher, direct supplier credit).
- Confirm eligibility (income limits, savings, household type, residency, and vulnerability).
- Apply early on the day the portal opens; monthly caps and first-come rules are common.
- Upload documents exactly as requested to avoid delays.
- Look beyond cash: Some areas prioritise energy support via supplier credit/prepayment vouchers (e.g., SHEBS) or utilities payments (e.g., Portsmouth).
September 2025 support snapshots (confirmed examples)
| Area / Scheme | Max award | Who it targets | How it’s paid | September window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratford-on-Avon (Warwickshire) — SHEBS via Act on Energy | Up to £500 (families); £300 (single/couple) | Low-income/vulnerable households; families with children <18 or young people ≤21 in full-time education | Supplier credit or prepayment voucher | Closes September 2025 (or earlier if funds run out) | First-come, first-served; energy-focused support. |
| Kingston upon Thames — HSF 7 | £300 | Low-income/vulnerable residents | Bank payment or voucher (per council) | Opens first working day (80 slots monthly) | One application per household; HSF to Mar 2026. |
| Portsmouth — HSF Utilities Payment | £150 (single) / £200 (couple/families) | Low-income households facing energy/water pressure | One-off payment (utilities support) | 2 Sept–27 Oct 2025, may close early | Income limits; apply online or by phone. |
| Bromsgrove & Redditch — HSF Phase 7 | Varies (typical essentials grants) | Households struggling with food/energy/essentials | Via partners (e.g., Citizens Advice) | Open (rolling) | Council scam alert: never click links in texts/emails. |
| Nottinghamshire — HSF | Varies by route | Low-income residents | Vouchers/transfers depending on route | Summer support to 30 Sept; Winter from 1 Oct | Automatic winter support if you received summer payment. |
Other help you can stack with HSF
Even if you don’t receive £500 locally, you can combine multiple supports:
- Warm Home Discount (WHD): A £150 one-off electricity bill discount for eligible households. The 2025/26 WHD re-opens October 2025; check your eligibility and supplier participation.
- Winter Fuel Payment (pensioners): Winter support for most people above State Pension age; amounts vary by circumstances. (Scotland has a separate scheme administered by Social Security Scotland.)
- Energy supplier hardship funds and Priority Services Register: Ask your supplier about grants and extra help if you’re in debt or at risk of disconnection. (Your council or Citizens Advice can point you to active funds in your area.)
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Believing there’s a nationwide £500 payout: There isn’t one. If you see a message asking you to “apply” for a DWP £500 payment via a link, it’s a scam. Apply only through your council’s official site or named partners.
- Missing the monthly window: Some councils (e.g., Kingston) release a limited number of monthly slots. Set a reminder for the first working day.
- Applying without documents: Upload clear proof of identity, address, income, and bills to speed decisions. Check your council’s list before you start.
- Overlooking energy-specific help: Routes like SHEBS may pay directly to your supplier or as prepayment vouchers, which can be faster than general cash grants.
Timeline: What to watch in September 2025
- Early September: Many HSF portals (and charity delivery partners) reopen after summer; Kingston opens its 80 monthly slots on the first working day.
- 2 Sept – 27 Oct: Portsmouth Utilities Payment application window. Apply ASAP—it can close early if the budget is exhausted.
- All September: Stratford SHEBS continues but ends this month (or when funds run out).
- From October: Warm Home Discount re-opens for 2025/26.
If you’ve read claims that “every UK household will get £500 in September 2025”, treat them with caution.
There is no national DWP £500 payment this month—that programme ended in February 2024. What is confirmed is the ongoing Household Support Fund through March 2026, which empowers councils to deliver targeted one-off help with food, energy, and essential bills.
In some places—like Stratford-on-Avon via Act on Energy—that support can reach £500 for eligible families; other areas offer £300 or £150–£200 with set application windows and monthly caps.
To maximise your chances, check your council’s HSF page today, note the opening times, prepare the required documents, and apply as soon as the window opens.
Also explore Warm Home Discount and supplier hardship funds to build a broader safety net for the months ahead.
FAQs
No. There is no UK-wide DWP £500 this month. Any £500 awards are local HSF schemes (for example, SHEBS in Stratford-on-Avon) with eligibility rules and application windows.