Households in the West Midlands can now receive £147 in cost-of-living support, even if they are not claiming benefits. According to Birmingham Live, Solihull Council is offering energy vouchers to eligible residents, funded through the Household Support Fund provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This scheme differs from typical DWP payments, which often require recipients to be on benefits or of state pension age. Instead, Solihull Council’s initiative allows households facing financial hardship to receive assistance, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria.
Who Can Apply for the £147 Payment?
The energy voucher scheme is designed for households that rely on biomass heating, meaning they heat their homes using wood pellets, logs, or chips. To qualify, applicants must also meet additional criteria, including:
- Being a tenant of Solihull Community Housing
- Having a combined household income of £31,000 or less per year
- Having no household savings
- Having a household member with a vulnerability
For pensioners, the scheme allows up to £10,000 in savings while still remaining eligible.
What Counts as a “Vulnerability”?
Solihull Council considers several factors when assessing vulnerabilities, which may include:
- A diagnosed and treated long-term health condition (physical or mental)
- Unmanageable debt
- A referral from a food bank, school, charity, or voluntary organisation
- Receiving certain benefits (full list available through the council)
How to Claim the Payment
The £147 is provided as a one-off top-up directly onto the applicant’s energy meter, and the funding is managed by Act on Energy, a regional energy support organisation.
Eligible households should check Solihull Council’s website or contact Act on Energy to apply before the fund runs out. With rising energy costs continuing to impact UK households, this initiative provides essential relief to struggling residents.
