Thousands of vulnerable residents in Bath and North East Somerset will be helped over the colder months through a new £967,000 Household Support Fund.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has formally accepted the grant allocation from the Department for Work and Pensions to help households in B&NES with living costs.
The grant will provide support to residents in need, including support for 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.
Key allocations include:
- Energy Support for Pensioners: £268,400 to assist pensioner households who receive Council Tax Support who 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.
The decision to accept the funding allocation can be found on the council website