Hardship Grant Community Fund

Birmingham Voluntary Service Council’s (BVSC) Hardship Grant Community Fund
(HGCF), part of Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) wider Household Support Fund
(HSF) activity, will be running until 30th September 2024.

​

BVSC will be distributing grants of up to £200 to Birmingham households, currently
facing financial hardship, with the funds intended to help households with food
costs and energy payments.
 

When does it start?

Applications will be accepted from May 2024, and we will continue to accept
applications until 30th September 2024, or until all funding has been exhausted
if sooner.

​

Who is eligible?

• You must be a Birmingham Resident

• You must be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with regards to
  covering costs linked to food and energy

• Your household must not have received a £200 grant payment in the
  last 12 months*

Please be aware that you may be expected to provide proof of address and proof
of means-tested benefits (if you are in receipt of them) in the case that you are
invited to
apply.
 

How do I apply?

To apply, potential applicants will be required to complete the enquiry form, located on the website below, answering questions aimed at determining your suitability for a grant payment. All applicants will be contacted via email on the outcome of their enquiry and next steps.
https://hsfbirmingham.online/

 

Under no circumstances will you be charged to fill out an application form.

If you are unable to access the website above, then please use the phone number provided below to progress your enquiry.
0121 634 7100

Please be aware that your enquiry will be processed faster if you use the form, so we strongly encourage you to do so if you are able to.

​

*Please be advised that each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12 month period. e.g. If you received a £200 payment on 31st May 2023, you cannot make another application until 1st June 2024. Any enquiry received before your eligibility date will be rejected.

The application system actively monitors submitted applications looking for signs of fraud and details of any attempts to make fraudulent applications and/or fraudulently receive grant funding will be shared with West Midlands Police.

Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact on any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to.

Grant payments are made directly into a bank account in the applicant’s name. If you do not currently have a bank account, please click the link below for details on how to open a Basic Bank Account.

Opening A Basic Bank Account

​

What additional support is available?
You can find more information and resources on BCC's Cost of Living Support Page and on the Government’s Cost of Living Hub

You can also find out about what other support may be available for you, as well as finding out useful tips for saving money on the Help for Households campaign page.

You can also apply for support from Birmingham City Council via the Local Welfare Provision scheme

​