Households who are struggling to pay for basic necessities can apply for hardship grants worth £200. The grants have been made available to residents in the West Midlands thanks to funding from the government.
Birmingham council has received an allocation of the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), which was extended in September to run until March this year. The city council has made available £200 hardship grants to Birmingham residents through the funding.
It will help households to pay for basic items such as food, essential goods and supplies including water and energy bills. However applicants must meet three sets of criteria in order to receive the cash.
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These are that they’re a Birmingham resident and experiencing financial hardship, particularly with food and energy costs. Applicants also must not have received a hardship grant in the past 12 months.
The city council said applications will not affect any other benefits that households may be recieving or entitled to. Applicants have also been advised to make an application online, rather than telephone, as this will likely be a quicker process. For more information, click here. However people can still get in touch by dialling 0121 634 7100.
A spokesperson for Birmingham council said: “The Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is a fixed amount of money available to the local authority to support households in most need with essentials such as: food, energy and essential goods and supplies, including water. Households facing financial hardship can apply for grants through the Hardship Grant Community Fund.
“These grants are given out by us, with help from the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and local partner organisations. Hardship payments are intended to help households with everyday household essentials such as energy and food, with grant payments of up to £200 per household.”
The spokesperson added: “We strongly encourage you to use the form to submit enquiries, as they are processed more quickly. All applicants will be contacted via email on the outcome of their enquiry and next steps.”