Low income households may be able to access cost of living payments. (Image: Rob Browne)

Date confirmed for £200 winter cost of living payments

Special support payments will be entering bank accounts this winter

by · Birmingham Live

Cost of living payments worth £200 will start entering bank accounts from November, it has been confirmed. Money will be paid out by local councils to residents struggling to afford basic essentials through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Birmingham City Council has now confirmed details of its winter fund. It announced the fund will open again from November, when it will begin accepting requests. Cash grants of £200 will be given to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

People living in other areas should check their local council's website for details. Brummies may be able to get payments if they ae struggling to pay for things like food, energy and water.

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The council said: "Hardship grant requests will open again from November 2024 until March 31, 2025." Residents will have to show they are suffering financial hardship and cannot have received a grant over the previous 12 months.

The city council explained: "The Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, 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. To be eligible you must:

  • be a Birmingham resident
  • experience financial hardship, particularly with covering costs linked to food and energy
  • not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months