If you live in the Essex County Council area
Oil Heating
If you have oil heating, on a low income and are struggling with the rising cost, we can support you with this if you live in a district council under the Essex County Council area (not Thurrock or Southend).
Please email elfforessex@southend.gov.uk
Please provide your name, address and telephone number.
We will contact you to go through an application.
Help under the Household Support Fund (HSF)
Application now closed.
The application process to claim from this scheme for the financial period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 has now closed.
The team are working to process all outstanding claims before 31 March 2026, you will be notified directly of any outcome.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) closes on the 31 March 2026.
There is a new fund called Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026 but this is not a replacement to HSF.
For details of any new scheme that may be available from 1 April 2026 and the criteria for application/qualification please see www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is there to help low income households struggling with the cost of:
- energy
- food
- hygiene products
Low income households that qualify include:
- families
- pensioners
- unpaid carers
- care leaver
- disabled people
People can make up to 2 awards for food and energy costs during the period April 1 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Further information
For more information please view the Essex ELF policy
For more advice and guidance please see Essential Living Fund frequently asked questions.