UK households getting free £200 cost of living payment 'within four weeks'

Council has issued a new update on its Household Support Fund scheme and has shared when it will open again for applications after the Department for Work and Pensions gave local authorities and councils extra cash.

Thousands of people can get £200 cost of living payment from next month. Birmingham City Council has issued a new update on its Household Support Fund scheme and has shared when it will open again for applications after the Department for Work and Pensions gave local authorities and councils extra cash.

After the previous round wound down on Monday, September 30, the local authority is set to pay out £200 sums. The local council has issued a new update on all remaining applications from the April-September round of funding and when the October-March scheme will get underway.

The council said in an update on October 1 that the grant scheme is "currently paused for new enquiries" while the team work through the waiting list. It added: "If you have submitted a successful enquiry since the current scheme opened earlier this year, you are on the waiting list and will be contact in the next four weeks to complete your full application.

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"Please be patient whilst the team work through the waiting list. Additionally, please ensure that you have your voicemail turned on, so the team can leave you a message if you miss our call, and that your phone accepts calls from withheld/private numbers."

It explained: "Please note that enquiries will reopen in early November 2024. 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."

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.