A new payment scheme has opened to help low-income Portsmouth households with the rising cost of energy and water bills.

Portsmouth City Council’s utilities payment scheme offers a £150 payment for eligible single person households or £200 for couples or families. Find out more and apply: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

It’s open to Portsmouth households in the following groups:

• Low-income working aged adults who are unable to work and have Limited Capacity for Work (LCW), but are not receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Single parents receiving Universal Credit
• Pensioners receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance
• Carers and caring households receiving either Carer’s Allowance or the Carers Element of Universal Credit
• Care leavers and care experienced adults aged 25 or under

Household income must also be below £935 per month for a single adult household, or £1,350 per month for a couple or family (including single parent families).

Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “The launch of our new utilities payment scheme comes just after the latest energy price cap announcement that gas and electricity bills will rise for millions of people.

Costs keep going up and it’s still really tough for many Portsmouth households. That’s why we’ve created this scheme to give more financial help to some of our most vulnerable residents ahead of the winter, when people need to heat their homes.”

Applications for utility payments must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 27 October 2025. However, due to limited funding, the scheme may close early if all funds have been given out.

Residents are encouraged to apply online, or for help and to apply over the phone they can call the council’s household support team: 023 9268 8010.

This is the latest local household support fund scheme, which is funded by the UK Government to help people pay for essentials like food and other bills.

Find other Portsmouth household support fund schemes, and wider help and support on our website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

Visit the cost of living hub website for advice and support, or call the cost of living helpline on 023 9284 1047. Open weekdays: 9am–5pm (closes at 4.30pm on Friday, closed on bank holidays).