Cost of living payment worth £150 available to households
Struggling households are being urged to check if they're eligible for a new round of £150 cost of living payments. The money is being issued by Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme.
The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash that is distributed to vulnerable and low income residents through local councils. It is down to each local authority to decide what type of help households are offered - some of the most common support available includes one-off payments and supermarket and energy vouchers.
Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is offering one-off cost of living payments of £150 to residents who are over 18 and facing financial hardship. The council is encouraging people to contact Citizens Advice East Berkshire if you think you may be eligible by calling 0808 278 7914.
You can also attend their drop-in service on Marlow Road, Maidenhead between 10am and midday on Mondays and Wednesdays. Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is also providing food vouchers to families who are eligible for free school meals. These will be issued automatically.
Councillor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services said: 'The Household Support Fund offers a lifeline for residents facing financial difficulties, including a one-off payment that can be used flexibly to have the greatest impact in their unique situation.
'The fund is just one of the ways that residents can access practical and financial help and advice across the borough, including one-to-one support to manage debt and identify additional sources of income, help to pay council tax and free skills training. I encourage anyone who is struggling financially to please reach out early so that we can connect you with local support.'
The Household Support Fund has been extended until March 31, 2026. If you're not a resident of Windsor and Maidenhead, it is worth contacting your local council to find out what help is available. For example, Birmingham City Council is issuing grants of up to £200 to eligible households who are currently facing financial hardship, with applications set to reopen in June 2025.
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.
A message on the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council website reads: "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."
Further details on the website reads: "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.
"The application system actively monitors submitted applications looking for signs of fraud and details of any attempts to make fraudulent applications and/or fraudulently receive grant funding may be shared with West Midlands Police. Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact on any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to."
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