Solihull residents struggling with energy costs and other household essentials are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for help through the Household Support Fund.
The Government has provided Solihull Council with £1.4 million for the sixth round of the Household Support Fund, which runs until 31 March 2025.
Solihull Council is making some of this funding available to support residents with energy costs, water bills, food and wider essentials, working in partnership with local food banks, energy advice charity Act on Energy and Age UK Solihull.
Eligible households could receive fuel vouchers of up to £147 and fuel debt relief of up to £500 through Act on Energy, payments of up to £147 to help towards their energy costs through Solihull Council, while pensioners could receive fuel debt relief of up to £500 and £200-£300 Winter Fuel Card through Age UK Solihull.
Other support includes food parcels, energy efficiency advice to help residents reduce their fuel bills, central heating servicing and repairs, essential white goods, and clothes and blankets to help keep people warm.
Details of what support is available, eligibility criteria, and how to apply is available here.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Wazma Qais, said:
“As a Council, we’re committed to supporting residents and the most vulnerable households who are struggling to access essentials including water and energy, and with energy prices rising and nights getting colder over the winter months, this latest round of funding will provide vital support.
“Round five funding between April and September saw us support 279 Solihull households directly with energy costs and an additional 154 supported in costs associated with energy such as boiler repairs. A considerable number of requests for support came for food, and we provided over 10,000 food parcels or supermarket vouchers to households in crisis during this time.
“Applications are now open for round six of the Fund and we encourage those who need help to apply through the details provided.
“We will be working with our partners to process new applications in addition to those made from the previous round relating to energy efficiency upgrades, which will help residents to make their homes warmer and reduce their energy bills.”
Please note, applications must be made through the contact method outlined above. For consumer advice or advice on scams, Solihull Trading Standards advise residents to contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
As well as energy support, the Fund also helps those most in need with support ranging from the cost of essentials, urgent household items, and access to food. Further detail is available on the Council’s Here2Help page.
People over state pension age (66 years or older) can also apply for Pension Credit. It is worth on average £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including winter fuel payment, housing benefit, help with council tax and NHS dental care. Information events will be held at The Core midweek between 25 November to 6 December, 1.30pm-4pm. To book an appointment, call Age UK Solihull on 0121 704 8080.
Residents could also save an average of £156 on their annual energy bills and move to a green, renewable electricity tariff through the Big Community Switch. Further detail and how to register before the deadline on 9 December is available on Solihull Council’s Big Community Switch webpage.