Household Support Fund: Application Based Support
The Hardship Grant Community Fund scheme is currently paused for new enquiries whilst the team work through the waiting list. You can visit https://www.bvsc.org/hsf for further information.
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.
Application Based Support: Hardship Grant Community Fund
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. If you do not have a bank account and need support, learn how to open a basic bank account on the Money Helper website.
Preventing fraud
We must make sure that all applications are made legitimately.
You may have committed an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 if you:
- falsely declare your circumstances
- provide a false statement
- provide false evidence in support of your application
We have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and financial irregularity. We will report all suspicions of fraud relating to this scheme to West Midlands Police.
Who is eligible
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
Returning applicants
Each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12 month period. For example, if you received a £200 payment on 31 May 2023, you cannot make another application until 1 June 2024.
Any enquiry received before your eligibility date will be rejected.
How to apply
The Hardship Grant Community Fund scheme is currently paused for new enquiries whilst the team work through the waiting list. You can visit https://www.bvsc.org/hsf for further information.
All applicants will be contacted via email on the outcome of their enquiry and next steps.
Additional support
You can find more information and resources on cost of living help on our cost of living support page.
Page last updated: 8 January 2025
