Please note

Please be aware that the scheme is now closed to new enquiries. This is to enable the HGCF Team to work through the enquiries already in the system.

If you have submitted a successful enquiry prior to 26th March 2024, please be advised that you are on the waiting list and you will be contacted to complete your application. Enquiries in the system are being processed in the order received, so please be patient whilst we work through the waiting list.

Please visit www.bvsc.org/hsf for further details.

Hardship Grant Community Fund - Expression of Interest

Hello and thank you for expressing your interest in the Hardship Grant Community Fund, which is part of the DWP Household Support Fund being administered by BVSC on behalf of Birmingham City Council.

Please answer the questions to submit your enquiry and check your eligibility for a Hardship Community Grant Fund payment. Please be advised by completing this form you are not making an application for a grant, you are expressing your interest in applying and will be contacted by one of our trusted partners to complete a full application if you are eligible.

Please complete your enquiry form to secure your place on the waiting list. A member of the team in your local area will contact you to complete your full application. Please ensure you provide the correct contact details to allow them to reach you.

Please DO NOT submit an enquiry if you household has already applied for a HSF Grant Payment since April 2023. Multiple submissions will be automatically rejected and will delay your application.

I understand

To be eligible for the scheme, you must:

Be able to prove that you are a Birmingham Resident

You may be expected to provide proof that you are in receipt of means-tested benefits, including:

Council Tax Support, Housing benefit, Job Seeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Social Funds (Cold Weather Payment, Sure Start, Maternity Grant), Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit), Universal Credit, Free School Meals Vouchers, Healthy Start Vouchers

I understand

Have you already received a hardship grant since April 2023?

To be eligible to apply for a grant payment, you or your household must not have already received a hardship grant payment since April 2023.
Additionally, you must currently be engaging with support services, or be willing to engage with available support services, to be eligible to apply for a grant.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT OUR SYSTEM TRACKS ALL GRANT PAYMENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS ROUNDS OF FUNDING, AND THAT YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED TO APPLY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A GRANT PAYMENT SINCE APRIL 2023.

Yes

No

4. Can you demonstrate that you are currently in arrears on your energy bills or that you are in a financial position where you are unable to pay your energy prepayment plan? If yes, you may be expected to provide evidence of this during your application.

Yes

No

5. Have you accessed support from a Community Organisation in the last fortnight? i.e. a community centre or a local charity you have contacted or visited in person.

Yes

No

6. Have you had to reduce your normal daily use of electricity and/or gas due to energy debts?

Yes

No

7. Have you used a food bank or used a free meal provider in the last fortnight?

Yes

No

8. Are you currently able to eat the food you want to stay healthy?

Yes

No

9. Are you currently engaging with any support services? - This could include: Accommodation/Homelessness support; Addiction support; Carer’s support; Children & Families support; Debt Management support; Disability support; Domestic Abuse support; Education/School support; Local welfare provision support; Older Adult’s support; Employment support; Food bank/food providers; Immigration/Refugee support; Mental Health/Counselling support.

Yes

No

10. Are you interested in accessing any new support services?

Yes

No

11. Please enter your full name

12. Please enter your postcode. You may be required to provide proof of your address when completing the full application.

Please enter your postcode ONLY in the following format "B1 1AA"

13. If English is not your first language, will you require a translator to complete your application? - If Yes, please enter your first language?

Yes

No

14. Are you a Birmingham resident, but currently living in temporary accommodation outside of the city?

Yes

No

15. How many children under the age of 18 do you have in your households?

16. Please enter your phone number. If you are successful with your enquiry, you will be called back on this number.

17. Please enter your email address. This will be used to keep you informed on the progress of your enquiry.

18. Please select the best time and day to be contacted to complete your application. Please be advised that the call may come from a withheld number.

19. Have you completed this enquiry form on behalf of the named person above?

Yes

No

20. If Yes, please enter your name, phone number and email address into this box.

Please click I consent to proceed.

Do you consent for your information to be shared for the purpose of submitting your enquiry to our waiting list? Please note this data may be shared with DWP, BCC, and other partners involved in the administration of HSF

I consent

To continue, type the characters you see in the picture below: