Trusted Partner Hub Hardship Grant Community Fund-Trusted Partner Hub https://www.bvsc.org/trusted-partner-portal-information 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 13/04/23: Please note that flagged applications on the portal need to be actioned by close of play today. If a Trusted Partner or Lead Locality has emailed BVSC regarding a follow up query on a flagged application, we will continue to work through and process these where possible. The majority of Lead Partners have confirmed that their waiting lists are nearly completed or are in the low double figures. Therefore, the window for new waiting list applications will close on 12pm Friday 14th. This is to allow time for all new applications to be processed and paid by close of play tomorrow afternoon. Where a locality is unable to work through the remainder of their waiting list, these applicants will be prioritised in the next round. If you do receive queries regarding this, kindly direct them to the HSF email and we will share this information with them. 06/04/23: This is a reminder to please check your applications on the portal and to action all flagged applications as soon as possible. The deadline to action/update them will be Thursday 13th April for payment from Friday 14th April. Any outstanding flagged applications after 13th April will regrettably have to be rejected and applicants would have to wait until later in the year when Round 4 starts to apply again. 31/03/23: The Household Support Fund will be closing to all applications today, Friday 31st March 2023 at 5pm. The current round of HSF has been inundated with requests for support, from Birmingham households, since opening for hardship grant applications. The fund has paid out nearly £5 million, since opening on 6th February 2023, which is a phenomenal achievement. Trusted Partners will still have access to the portal to amend/fix existing applications until the 14th April. 21/03/23: As of today, we have communicated on our website that we will be accepting no new enquiries from the public. However, this does not impact our trusted partners; please continue to make applications for those you are working with up until the deadline of the 31st March. 09/02/2023: Hi all, a quick update regarding the minority of applications which aren’t saving when you get to the last page of the application form. We are currently working on a solution and expect to get this fixed very shortly. However in the meantime, if you receive an error on the last page of the portal and you can’t see the application in your portal account, then please assume that the application has not gone through. 30/01/23: We’re pleased to announce that we will be opening up for applications on Monday 6th February. Please visit https://www.bvsc.org/hsf for details of our public-facing comms. Please do not make applications before this date. 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)