Households can apply for new £200 cost of living payment in days
Birmingham Council will supply £ 200 cost of living payments to households in financial hardship. Applications for help are currently closed but will reopen in June
Households can apply for a cost of living payment worth £200 this week and thousands can get one. The help comes from the Household Support Fund scheme.
First launched in 2021, the cost of living scheme has given local councils pots of cash to support struggling households in their area. Each authority decides how it wants to spend the money, and help can range from free cash payments to supermarket vouchers. However, you can only claim help from the area in which you live.
Birmingham Council will supply £ 200 cost of living payments to households in financial hardship. Applications for help are currently closed but will reopen in June. This week, the first day of June falls on Sunday.
If you have already completed the enquiry form, then you will be on the waiting list and will be contacted within the next six to eight weeks to complete your full application. But completing the enquiry form does not mean that you are definitely entitled to receive a payment - your eligibility will still be checked.
To be eligible for the money, you need to live in Birmingham, struggling to cover energy or food costs, and have not received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months. Birmingham Council has confirmed that the cost of living payment will not impact on any other benefits someone may be receiving or entitled to.
The website details: "Please be advised that enquiries will reopen in June 2025. If you are not currently on the waiting list, and it has now been 12 months since your household last received a grant payment, you will be able to submit a new enquiry once the scheme reopens in June 2025.
"Please be advised that each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12-month period. e.g. If you received a £200 payment on 28th February 2024, you cannot make another application until 1st March 2025. Any enquiry submitted before your eligibility date will be rejected."
Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics
For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game.
Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities.
Birmingham Council also warns that it will "actively monitor" applications for signs of fraud, and details of those making an attempt will be passed to West Midlands Police."
You cannot claim this support if you do not live in Birmingham. However, you are able to claim help from your local council through their own Household Support Fund scheme. Due to this system, it means it can be a postcode lottery for the support you can get.
Local councils have started to share what help they will offer for this year's Household Support Fund and each council's website details its support offerings alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, it has a separate cost of living tab.
Each council will also have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others ask you to apply over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Families on Universal Credit have just 24 hours to get up to £1,000 in free cost of living cash payments
Scroll to see how to apply for the cash HELPING HAND Families on Universal Credit have just 24 hours to get up to £1,000 in free cost of living cash payments Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRUGGLING households could bag cost of living payments worth up to £1,000 - but need to act fast. There are just hours left for thousands to apply for cash that could act as a financial lifeline. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands could get payments up to £1,000 Credit: PA The payments are from the government's £742million Household Support Fund being distributed by councils in England. Local authorities have until next year to dish out their share of the fund - but once the cash is gone, it's gone. And many councils are already handing out the support through cash or vouchers with set windows for applications. Residents in Portsmouth in financial hardship now have until 12pm tomorrow (June 12) to apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000. People on Universal Credit and other benefits can apply but you don't need to be. And applications may also close early if the funds have been used up. To qualify for the cash, you'll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts. You also need to tell authorities what you've tried to do to improve your financial situation and why you need help. The exact amount you receive depends on household size -the maximum amount is for six or more of £800. Whereas one person gets £350, two people £420, three people £500, four people 600, and five people £700. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households deemed to be in the highest level of need can be awarded a further £200 taking total payments up to £1,000. To apply, visit the website. Can I get help if I live outside Portsmouth? Cash from the Household Support Fund is available to households battling financial pressures across England. But what exactly you get will depend on your circumstances and where you live. For example, the City of Doncaster Council is giving out up to £300 payments to families on Universal Credit. And households in Middlesbrough can get vouchers worth up to £120. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council sets its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help varies from one postcode to the next. Funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. Many councils require you to be on certain benefits to qualify. But crucially, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Get in touch with your local council to see what exactly is on offer and how to apply. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit have just 24 hours to get up to £1,000 in free cost of living cash payments
STRUGGLING households could bag cost of living payments worth up to £1,000 - but need to act fast. There are just hours left for thousands to apply for cash that could act as a financial lifeline. 1 The payments are from the government's £742million Household Support Fund being distributed by councils in England. Local authorities have until next year to dish out their share of the fund - but once the cash is gone, it's gone. And many councils are already handing out the support through cash or vouchers with set windows for applications. Residents in Portsmouth in financial hardship now have until 12pm tomorrow (June 12) to apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000. People on Universal Credit and other benefits can apply but you don't need to be. And applications may also close early if the funds have been used up. To qualify for the cash, you'll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts. You also need to tell authorities what you've tried to do to improve your financial situation and why you need help. The exact amount you receive depends on household size -the maximum amount is for six or more of £800. Whereas one person gets £350, two people £420, three people £500, four people 600, and five people £700. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households deemed to be in the highest level of need can be awarded a further £200 taking total payments up to £1,000. To apply, visit the website. Can I get help if I live outside Portsmouth? Cash from the Household Support Fund is available to households battling financial pressures across England. But what exactly you get will depend on your circumstances and where you live. For example, the City of Doncaster Council is giving out up to £300 payments to families on Universal Credit. And households in Middlesbrough can get vouchers worth up to £120. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council sets its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help varies from one postcode to the next. Funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. Many councils require you to be on certain benefits to qualify. But crucially, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Get in touch with your local council to see what exactly is on offer and how to apply. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Households can get FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines or £250 cash
Scroll down to see if you are eligible LENDING A HAND Households can get FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines or £250 cash Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRUGGLING families can get £250 in cash or free fridges, freezers and washing machines delivered to their doorsteps. The help comes as part of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) - a huge £742 million fund available to councils across England. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Help is available for households struggling to cover the cost of essential white goods Credit: Getty 2 People can also receive support with food expenses and household essentials Credit: Getty Enfield Council has bagged £5 million from the HSF to support residents between April 2025 and March 2026. Support includes free white goods - like fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers - with home delivery for families in need. Households can also get a leg-up on essential costs like food, energy and water bills, as well as support covering expenses like broadband, phone bills and clothes. The help is usually given to those who are on a low income, are on benefits or are classed as vulnerable. Families deemed eligible meet the following criteria, as per the town's council's website. They live in the borough of Enfield Their annual household net income is less than £40,000 They have less than £1,000 in savings To claim the money, individuals are told to provide an explanation for the hardship they are experiencing and for the reason that they are unable to cover expenses. Without this information, applications will be rejected. The following proof is also required: Evidence of all household members' income A copy of a recent bank statement A utility bill Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now There is only one award per household. Once approved, payments for essentials will enter the applicant's bank account within 10 days. The council warns that application windows may close depending on demand. It comes as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is also lending hard-up households a helping hand through the HSF. Thousands of families will be able to receive free washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 towards the cost of energy. People must meet the following criteria to qualify: Single Adult in Work: Their household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance) Two or More Adults in Work: Their household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance) Their household savings must be under £2,000 If they're a pensioner, their savings must be below £16,000 But it's not just through HSF that families can receive help covering the cost of white goods. Some councils are running schemes. Norfolk County Council has a Client Hardship Service (CHS) offering second-hand and new appliances to hard-up households. Those who will qualify have an age of 16 or older, live in Norfolk and are claiming a means-tested benefit like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Meanwhile, Manchester City Council provides those resettling or moving out of temporary accommodation with basic furniture and white goods. By using the government's council locator tool, it's easy to find out which local authorities are offering white goods grants and the eligibility criteria.
