Latest news with #HardshipGrant
The Sun
16 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Households on benefits urged to apply for £200 free cash NOW – but you need to be quick
HOUSEHOLDS on benefits will now be able to apply for £200 payments for free, until funding is exhausted. It comes as part of the Household Support Fund that is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The scheme launched yesterday, and will be open for application until March next year. It comes through a fixed amount of money that is available to the Local Authority to help support the households most in need. Each council in England has been allocated a share of £742 million from the fund. This is Round 7 of The Household Support Fund scheme in Birmingham, which has been extended multiple times. Eligible households in Birmingham that are facing hardship will be able to access the grants for essential costs like groceries, energy bills, water, and basic supplies. This Hardship Grant Community Fund is completely free to apply to, with no fees, text requests or bank details involved. Receiving a grant from the fund will also not impact any other benefits households may be additionally receiving or be entitled to. Those who have already submitted a successful enquiry into the scheme may have been added to the Waiting List, who can expect a call from the local area within the next 3-4 weeks. The grants will be distributed by the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), and can include up to £200 in funds aimed at helping households with food and energy costs. Applications for the payment can be made by completing the enquiry form online, and answering questions to determine suitability to a grant. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now Completing the enquiry form does not guarantee a grant, and eligibility will be checked. To be eligible for the grant: You must be a Birmingham Resident You must be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with regards to covering costs linked to food and energy Your household must not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months Those applying may be required to provide proof of address and means-tested benefits. 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. What if you don't live in Birmingham? The £742million Household Support Fund has been allocated to councils across England to help residents facing financial hardship. You do not need to live in Reading to apply. If you're on a low income, receiving benefits, or struggling to afford essentials, you may be eligible for support. The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills. Applications are handled by local councils. Some have already opened their schemes, while others are expected to launch soon. Residents are advised to check their local council's website or social media for updates. Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply. In some cases, councils may contact eligible households directly by post.
Agriland
01-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM confirms rollout of backdated TB balancing payments
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed to Agriland that bovine tuberculosis (TB) Income Supplement balancing payments have started to be issued to herd owners. The payments run started last month and all payments due to farmers are expected to be processed and issued within in the next few weeks. A spokesperson for DAFM told Agriland today (Thursday, May 1) that herd owners can expect to receive outstanding payments shortly. 'It is expected to be a number of weeks before all payments are processed and issued. 'Farmers will find details of their payments on the financial self service section of AgFood – the payment is titled Financial Working Group Income Supplement Balancing Payment,' the department has detailed. Last week, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association's (ICSA) animal health and welfare chair, John Barron welcomed the issuing of top-up income supplement payments to farmers affected by TB who were paid at the old rate. The issue has been ongoing since February 2023 when an increase in compensation rates for farmers whose herds go down with bovine tuberculosis (TB) was agreed. It was outlined at the time that the owners of herds that went down with TB before February 29, 2024, continued to receive the old rate of payment under the TB income supplement scheme. TB In April 2025 DAFM had set out the conditions to Agriland in relation to payments. It said: 'Considering the complexity of the changes to the scheme, the herds who were receiving the old rates while the necessary IT development work was being carried out, will receive balancing payments when they exit restriction.' According to the DAFM, the reason for this was 'to ensure that they receive accurate payments'. A further update from the department to Agriland in August 2024 detailed that the agreed changes to the Depopulation Grant and Hardship Grant schemes went live on December 7, 2023. 'The agreed changes to the income supplement scheme went live on February 29, 2024 for herds entering breakdown from that date onwards. 'The department is currently working on the necessary IT work to ensure any balancing payments owed to farmers are calculated and issued as soon as possible,' DAFM subsequently stated. The rates of TB compensation according to DAFM are as follows: Income supplement monthly rates: Dairy (old rate €55) – new rate of €100 for first five months after calving and €65 for six to 10 months after calving; Suckler (old rate €38.09) – new rate of €52 for first seven months after calving and €40 for eight to 12 months after calving; Other (old rate €25.39) – new rate of €30. Depopulation grant: Dairy (old rate €220) – new rate of €280; Suckler (old rate €152.36) – new rate of €180; Other (old rate €76.16) – new rate of €120. Hardship grant monthly rates: Suckler (old rate €38) – new rate €50; Dairy/other (old rate €25) – new rate €30. There are a number of farmers who have been waiting on the roll-out of these payments since the increase in compensation rates for farmers whose herds go down with TB was agreed and the confirmation of these payments issuing will be welcomed by farm organisations.
