UK Households to Receive £200 Cost of Living Payment in Three Weeks’ Time

Some families, in Birmingham, will soon have the opportunity to apply for a £200 cost of living payment through a government-funded household support fund scheme.

This initiative, initially launched in 2021 by the previous Tory government, has been extended for an additional six months, starting from October 1. Labour has contributed an extra £421 million to bolster these efforts.

Local councils operate the scheme, allocating funding to give different forms of assistance, such as direct cash transfers, shopping vouchers, and energy coupons. Birmingham Council has announced it will distribute £200 cash payments in this latest round of assistance.

Application Timeline and Eligibility

Birmingham Council has confirmed that applications will reopen in approximately three weeks, at the beginning of November. The Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC) has overseen the Household Support Fund since its creation. This round of financing will also take into account those who previously applied but did not get support.

The BVSC stated: “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.”

To qualify for the payment, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Residency: Must be a Birmingham resident.
• Financial Hardship: Must demonstrate financial difficulty, particularly with food or energy costs.
• Previous Grants: Cannot have received a hardship grant within the last 12 months.

Cost of Living Payment Application Process

To initiate the application process, residents need to fill out the Hardship Grant Community Fund expression of interest form. The council notes that the form's questions are intended to determine eligibility for the grant. If accepted, applicants will get an email with additional instructions.

Those invited to apply must provide proof of address and documentation of any means-tested benefits they receive. Upon approval, funds will be directly deposited into the recipient’s bank account.

For Non-Birmingham Residents

Residents outside of Birmingham will not be eligible to apply for this particular scheme. However, local councils nationwide are expected to launch their own Household Support Schemes shortly. It is advised to check local authority websites regularly for updates.