Hardship Grant Community Fund-Trusted Partner Hub

Welcome to the trusted partner hub where you can view the latest news updates, access signposting & information resources, and access portal training & guidance.

Latest News

8th August 2023: We have had several thousand enquires in the first week of opening alone. Therefore, when making applications, please advise applicants that the grant payment can take up to 7 working days from the date of application (not enquiry) and not to chase up their applications until after after this period has passed.

4th August 2023: The Portal Guides are currently being updated and will replace the ones below in due course. 

24th July 2023: We’re pleased to announce that we will be opening up for applications on Monday 31st July.

Please visit https://www.bvsc.org/hsf for details of our public-facing comms and links to the new public enquiry form.

Signposting, Information and Advice 

Connecting Applicants to support services:

• Birmingham City Council’s Customer Service Centres – Details of Customer Service Centres across Birmingham who can assist with Welfare Benefits, Financial Problems, and Housing Issues
• Local Welfare Provision Scheme – Details of the LWP scheme aimed at helping vulnerable people in short term crisis with food and essential items
• Community Connectors - Information on how to get started with your local community connector, linking families to community support and assets 
• Route 2 Wellbeing Directory - City-wide Voluntary and Community service directory 
• The Waiting Room Support Directory - City-wide Voluntary and Community service directory
• Birmingham Food Justice Map - Interactive map of City-wide food banks and warm welcome spaces
• Birmingham Warm Welcome Space Directory  - Details of all the spaces in your area where you can come and keep warm this winter
• Birmingham Connect to Support-online information and advice guide, community directory and marketplace for citizens of Birmingham

Advice and Information:

• Birmingham Housing Advice Pack
• Help in Brum: Birmingham Cost of Living Support
• Government Cost of Living Support Factsheet
• Check benefits and support you can get
• British Gas Energy Support
• Turn2Us Benefits Calculator
• Support for Carers
• Change Grow Live alcohol and drugs advice
• Step Change or other Breathing Space initiatives can offer 60 days respite from interest fees and court action for those in multiple arrears

Help and Support with your application

• Portal Guide: How to submit an application
• Portal Guide: How to review flagged and rejected applications
• Portal Guide: How to check an application's status 
• Portal Guide: The Application Process & Waiting Lists (Locality Leads)
• Trusted Partner Checklist

Key Contacts (opens as pdf)