Household Support Fund

Council identifies Birmingham homes that will benefit from the £13m Household Support Fund

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Tuesday 7th June 2022 12:07pm

Birmingham chiefs have identified the households that will receive financial relief via the Household Support Fund. The scheme is intended to help some of the poorest households meet the rising cost of living with support for food, energy, water and essential goods bills. 

Birmingham has been allocated £12.7 million from the fund. This will be allocated to vulnerable households across the city over the next six months, with all payments intended to be made by September 30, 2022.

Payments of £200 are expected to reach a minimum of 40,000 households in Birmingham, the council said. £3.5 million will go towards Pensioner Household Hardship grants that apply to older adults known to social work teams.

Another £2.7 million will go towards the Hardship Grant Scheme that includes households with children and pensioners.

Around £4 million has also been earmarked for families with children in receipt of free school meals. The remaining cash will be spread out amongst other vulnerable households and various administrative costs. 

The Household Support Fund is one of several measures the government are using to combat the burgeoning cost of living. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also recently announced an energy bill discount of £400 for every household in the UK.

Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Karen McCarthy, said: “This is much needed, essential support to struggling households across the city. The grant is available for six months only and is for essential goods and supplies such as food, energy, water, and crisis arrears support.

“It's regrettable that it's only a six-month package. I would ask all members to make sure their residents know how to access this funding, but I fear that it is only a sticking plaster on a wound that needs long-term substantial treatment.” 

The council website currently says that further details on how to apply will be available shortly. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of their household's financial situation to access the funding. 

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