UK households who 'haven't had' Cost of Living payment handed free £200

UK households who 'haven't had' Cost of Living payment handed free £200
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Millions of UK families will be handed a £200 cost of living payment. Under the Labour Party government extension of the Household Support Fund, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) chiefs have handed local authorities cash to fund local families who are hard-up and struggling.

In Birmingham, Birmingham City Council says the cash handout will support households in most need with essentials such as food, energy and essential goods and supplies, including water. Birmingham City Council will be distributing grants of up to £200 to Birmingham households currently facing financial hardship. The funds are intended to help households with food costs and energy payments.

It warns: "We must make sure that all applications are made legitimately. You may have committed an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 if you falsely declare your circumstances, provide a false statement and provide false evidence in support of your application.

READ MORE Drivers refunded after being 'wrongly charged' due to camera position

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and financial irregularity. We will report all suspicions of fraud relating to this scheme to West Midlands Police." The local authority has been accepting applications from May 2024, and will continue to accept applications until 30 September 2024 or until all funding has been exhausted, if sooner.

You must be a Birmingham resident. You must be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with covering costs linked to food and energy. Your household must not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months. It adds: "Be aware that if you are invited to apply, you may be expected to provide proof of address and proof of means-tested benefits, if you are in receipt of them."

To apply, you will need to complete the Hardship Grant Community Fund expression of interest form. The questions are aimed at determining your suitability for a grant payment. You can find more information and resources on cost of living help on the BCC cost of living support page.