New date confirmed for next round of £200 payments to help with cost of living

The hardship grant scheme has been paused so organisers can deal with all remaining applications but it is set to relaunch next month

A new date has been given for the relaunch of payments to help struggling individuals and families with the ongoing cost of living crisis. Across the country, sums of up to £550 have been given out, including £200 hardship grants in Birmingham.

The Department for Work and Pensions has extended its Household Support Fund for a further six months by adding another £421 million into the pot. The cash is being shared among councils to distribute to local people through direct payments or other schemes.

The Birmingham allocation, which is handled by Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC), has been used to provide £200 hardship grants to those who are on means-tested DWP and HMRC benefits or other low-income schemes. BVSC has now issued a new update on all remaining applications from the April-September round of funding and when the October-March scheme will get underway.

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BVSC said in an update on October 1 that the grant scheme is "currently paused for new enquiries" while the team work through the waiting list. It added: "If you have submitted a successful enquiry since the current scheme opened earlier this year, you are on the waiting list and will be contact in the next four weeks to complete your full application.

"Please be patient whilst the team work through the waiting list. Additionally, please ensure that you have your voicemail turned on, so the team can leave you a message if you miss our call, and that your phone accepts calls from withheld/private numbers."

BVSC says the scheme will be relaunched next month to begin accepting the next set of applications for a payment. It explained: "Please note that enquiries will reopen in early November 2024. If you are not currently on the waiting list, or it has now been 12 months since you received your last grant payment, you will be able to submit a new enquiry once the next round opens in early November 2024."

People are eligible for help if they live in Birmingham, are experiencing hardship (especially with food and energy costs) and haven't had a £200 grant payment in the past 12 months. Applicants may have to provide proof of address and of any means-tested benefits they receive.

Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to. Payments are made directly into a bank account in the applicant's name.

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