THOUSANDS of households have been warned to act now to receive £200 of free cash to help with energy and shopping bills.
A cost-of-living support scheme has now been extended for the sixth time, but Brits must get their applications in quickly to benefit.
Thousands of households have just days left to apply for the Household Support Fund[/caption]
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was set up by the Government back in 2021 to help those struggling with rapidly rising inflation.
At the peak of the crisis, the average household’s annual energy bill under the Ofgem price cap rose to over £4,000.
The fund was originally set to run out after about six months, but it has been refreshed in every Budget since then.
The latest round of cash will see the end of the scheme pushed back from next week to Spring 2025.
An extra £421 million is being added to the pot between October 2024 and April 2025.
Funding comes from the Department for Work and Pensions, but the HSF is administered and distributed by local councils.
This means that each area has its own deadlines and criteria to access the money.
Thousands of households under the umbrella of Birmingham City Council have just days left to get their claims submitted.
Those eligible can receive up to £200, which can be put towards food or energy bills, as well as costs for “essential goods” like water.
Applications can be submitted by filling out the Hardship Grant Community Fund expression of interest form on the council’s website or by calling 0121 634 7100.
In order to qualify you must:
- Be a Birmingham resident
- Be experiencing “financial hardship” in relation to essential costs
- Not have received a £200 grant payment in the past 12 months
You may also be required to submit proof of address and benefits if you are receiving them.
However, HSF payments do not affect your eligibility for means-tested benefits and Universal Credit.
The council also confirmed that the funding would not be affected by the Section 114 notice, which declared it effectively bankrupt.
Once you have submitted the form, the council will assess your application and email you about next steps.
Applications close on Monday September 30.
