THOUSANDS of households can get an extra £200 through a government scheme to help them pay bills.
Householders who are struggling to pay for food and energy have been urged to apply for money.
TheUK wide scheme is currently being rolled out in the Birmingham area.The cash is part of the Household Support Fund (HSF), made up of money given to councils by the Government to help those struggling most in their communities.
The latest phase of the Birmingham scheme opened on October 1.
The Government has invested over £2 billion into the fund over the last two years, with almost £800 million already paid to
households with children to ease the cost of living between October 2021 and March 2023.
Authorities in the poorest areas receive proportionately more, and devolved nations will be given equivalent funding.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "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.
"Each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12-month period.
"For example, if you received a £200 payment on September 30, 2022, you cannot re-apply until October 1, 2023. Any application received before your eligibility date will be rejected.
"Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact on any other benefits you may be receiving, or may be entitled to.
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"This grant is free at the point of access, and under no circumstances should you be required to pay a fee to apply for a grant from the Hardship Grant Community Fund."
Households across the UK have been under growing financial pressure over the last year, as inflation reached a 40 year high. Many family have struggled to cope with rising energy and food prices.
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