Households concerned about their energy bills amid freezing temperatures may be able to get special cost of living payments to help cover them. Low-income residents worried about their finances and struggling to pay for essentials like food, gas and electricity can apply for cash grants from their local councils.
Local authorities are making payments to the most hard-up residents through the Household Support Fund (HSF). Anyone who feels they need help can make an application to their council.
Full details can be found on ‘Household Support Fund’ sections of their websites. Local authorities are paying out different amounts, with birmingham-city-council>Birmingham City Council paying £200 grants to eligible applicants.
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People don’t necessarily have to be receiving benefits to get the support, as long as they can show they are struggling to get by. It comes as Britain has been gripped by a cold snap, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -10C overnight into Thursday.
Birmingham City 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; essential goods and supplies, including water. Various forms of assistance are being offered to address a wide range of household circumstances.
“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. Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to. Grant payments are made directly into a bank account in the applicant’s name.”