Helping those in need with the Household Support Fund

Thursday, 9 December 2021 15:32

The city council has set out how it will support those in need using the remainder of the Household Support Fund allocation.

In October 2021 the council was awarded £12.791m and immediately used £1.22m for supermarket vouchers for those eligible for free school meals over half-term. Vouchers will also be provided for two weeks over the Christmas holidays, using an additional £2.5m from the fund.

A report to cabinet sets out how the remainder will be distributed to those in need. Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) will receive £4m as a package of grant assessment, distribution, processing and payments across Birmingham’s ten districts, available to all age groups and households utilising existing welfare support channels.

This will deliver financial payments in the region of £100 per household with a maximum £200 payment, reaching between 17,500 to 35,000 households across the city.

Adult social care will receive £850,000 which will cover Home from Hospital fund support, emergency fuel payments and top-up to local welfare provision.

Birmingham Children’s Trust’s allocation of £3.262 will help with hardship payments, care leavers, those with no recourse to public funds and independent living grants.

Cllr Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for children and vulnerable families, said: “While it is good to see this funding made available, we should not be living in a society where this is necessary. We are seeing too many families struggling and the pandemic has only made things worse. I will continue to hold government to account on how their decision-making impacts local families. The voluntary sector has done great work helping families in need and I know they will continue to help us support them.”

Cllr Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for adult social care and wellbeing, said: “I’m pleased to see a dedicated allocation for adult care, especially for those who struggle when they come home from hospital and are too often forgotten. Winter can be incredibly hard for some families and it is right that they are supported through difficult times.”

The report will go to cabinet on 14 December.