Vulnerable residents are set to receive financial help over the colder months thanks to a new Household Support Fund from B&NES Council.
The local authority has formally accepted a grant allocation of £967,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions to help households with living costs.
The grant will provide support to residents in need, including towards energy costs, free school meal vouchers in school holidays, food support and buying essential items.
Free school meal vouchers will be provided automatically if families received vouchers for children during the last school holiday.
Details on how to apply for help through the Discretionary Crisis Scheme can be found on the council website.
Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, said: “We are committed to ensuring that our most vulnerable residents receive the support they need and the Household Support Fund will provide crucial assistance to people facing financial difficulties.
“This is particularly important at a time when central government has removed the universal winter fuel allowance from older residents not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
“We will use our sixth allocation of this funding to help residents struggling to afford household essentials, including energy and water bills, food, and other necessities.
“The fund will also support housing costs where existing support does not meet the demand.”
Key allocations from the funding include:
- Energy Support for Pensioners: £268,400 to assist pensioner households who receive Council Tax Support but do not receive Pension Credit.
- Support for Foodbanks: £40,000 contribution to the area’s foodbanks for food parcel distribution.
- Future Bright Program: £30,000 to aid residents in accessing work through various supportive measures.
- Free School Meal Vouchers: £246,000 to provide vouchers for 4,100 children during school holidays.
- Citizens Advice Fuel/Food Crisis Scheme: £125,000 to support vulnerable households with fuel and food.
- Additional Grants and Support: Various allocations to organisations such as Bath Mind, Carers Centre, Clean Slate Financial Health, Age UK, and others to provide comprehensive assistance.
