NORTH Somerset Council have received further funding from the Household Support Fund to help residents who may be feeling the pinch from the cost-of-living crisis.

In the latest funding round, the council received £2,615,696. This is on top of the £4 million it received in previous years.

Families with children, pensioners, care leavers, children eligible for free school meals, and those who are struggling to get by will benefit from the cash boost until March 2024.

How the funding will be allocated

 

  • A £120 food voucher, which will be distributed in two £60 allocations, one in June and one in November. This will be given to all working age CTS claimants and all pensioner age CTS claimants. It is hoped that this could help 11,764 residents.
  • A £120 food voucher to children in receipt of free school meals and care leavers, which will be distributed in two £60 allocations, one in June and one in November. This is expected to support 5,200 young residents.
  • Grant allocations of £130K will be made to the Handy Person Service (£20k), Salvation Army (£10k), Fuel Bank (£50k) and the CAB Surviving Winter grant (£50k). All these organisations help those in need.
  • £181k of funding to residents who do not meet the above but are still struggling financially. The amount of help given is dependent on personal circumstances.

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council's deputy leader and executive member for Children’s Services, Families and Lifelong Learning said: "Millions of people are affected right now by high inflation and climbing interest rates.

"Sadly there is no end in sight to the cost of living crisis and we want to do all that we can to help. Over the next year, this fund will support North Somerset residents with energy, food, water, transport and housing bills. If you are struggling, please look on the council’s website at our cost of living pages, visit Citizens Advice or get in touch.”

A Cost-of-Living taskforce has also been set up to respond to crisis locally. Last year, the force partnered with local organisations to enable public living rooms for residents to stay warm and offered advice to residents.