Households in the Midlands have received an update on a £200 payment scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Over the past year, Birmingham City Council has been distributing these payments, known as hardship grants, to households struggling with the cost of living.
Scheme Closure and Waiting List
The grant scheme, funded via the DWP's Household Support Fund (HSF), officially closed on March 27, aligning with the national end of the HSF programme. A council spokesperson stated: "The hardship grant community fund scheme is currently closed for new enquiries and applications. If you have already completed the enquiry form and received an email confirming approval, you have secured your place on the waiting list. You will be contacted by a member of the HSF team within the next three to four weeks to complete your full application. Due to the high volume of enquiries, please be patient while the team works through the waiting list."
Transition to New Fund
The HSF scheme had been operational since October 2021, introduced to help households with the cost of living during the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting April 1, the government replaced the HSF with the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This new fund will continue to provide local authorities with government money to support residents facing financial hardship.
A government spokesperson explained: "The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides grant funding to local authorities in England to deliver preventative support to communities, as well as assisting people when faced with a financial crisis."
Residents who have already applied and received confirmation are advised to wait for further contact. For those who missed the deadline, the CRF may offer new opportunities for assistance in the coming months.
