
- Mar 13, 2020

- Jan 8, 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
I am writing to you today to inform you that unfortunately supermarket vouchers will not be available for
future school holiday periods. The council used part of its’ allocation under the government’s Household
Support Fund to provide supermarket vouchers for families eligible for free school meals for the October
half-term and Christmas holiday periods.
There is information about how families can access support through the remainder of the fund on the
council’s website at https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/hsf for further details, please see below.
Household Support Fund
Support is available to households in Birmingham over the winter using funding from the Government’s
Household Support Fund. In addition to targeting some of the fund to provide supermarket vouchers to
families eligible for free school meals for the October half term and Christmas holiday periods distributed
to by Birmingham schools to families, a new grant fund is now available to households in the most need
with food, energy and water bills and wider essential costs.
What support is available through the grant fund and how to apply?
Grants may be applied for up to £150 per household.
As part of the application process, individuals will be signposted to other support available to them in the
locality such as: money and welfare advice, utility support, food bank/pantry, and connect families with
local community resources.
There are 5 categories of support that can be applied for:
1. Food
2. Gas, electricity, water
3. Essentials linked to gas/electricity/water costs
4. Wider essentials
5. Housing costs
Support from this fund does not cover recent Government announcements in relation to £150 Council Tax
rebates or the £200 energy utility provider support announced by the HM Treasury in February 2022.
Who is eligible?
Applicants will need to undergo an assessment process, with a trusted partner agency, to determine
eligibility to access the fund.
How to apply?
Once eligibility is confirmed, the trusted partner agency will complete your application to receive your
hardship grant. To identify your local trusted partner agency please visit Birmingham Voluntary Service
If you have any issues contacting your location, please contact, hsf@bvsc.org
How are grants paid?
Hardship grants are paid directly into the applicant’s bank account. Alternative arrangements can be put
in place if you do not have access to your own bank account. This process can take up to a total of five
working days in order to complete necessary financial checks, including fraud detection measures.
Additional support
Additional support is also available through Birmingham's existing Local Welfare Provision (LWP)
scheme which helps vulnerable people in short-term crisis with food and essential items.
Please note that all decisions regarding eligibility and payments for the Household Support Fund are made
by the council. If you have any questions regarding the grant, please contact them directly.
Yours sincerely
Mrs C. Fealy
School Office