GBP. Photo by Sarah Agnew on Unsplash
Devon County Council has announced it will receive over £5 million in government funding to help struggling households cover the costs of energy, food, and other essentials.
The support, part of the Household Support Fund, will run until March 2025.
Working with Devon’s District, City, and Borough councils, as well as community partners, the council is finalising how the funds will be distributed.
Recipients include Citizens Advice Devon, which will offer fuel vouchers and initiatives to improve energy efficiency, helping residents stay warm amid rising energy costs.
Devon Community Foundation will also receive funding to support vulnerable communities, including those with disabled residents, homeless people, and minority groups who are underrepresented in other aid programs.
Since 2022, the charity’s 'Food, Fuel and More' program has distributed over £1.3 million to those in need.
Additionally, families with children eligible for benefit-related free school meals will receive holiday vouchers to help with food shopping during the October half-term, Christmas, and February half-term holidays.
These vouchers will benefit around 22,000 pupils across the county.
Pensioners and households on welfare benefits will also have access to support, with details to be confirmed on district council websites in the coming weeks.
Care leavers and families supported by the council’s Early Help team will continue to receive financial aid as well.
Councillor Roger Croad, the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for communities, said: “We're pleased that the government has been able to provide another Household Support Fund through to next Spring, which will be welcome news to a lot of households in Devon who are struggling with the cost of living. We’ll confirm the arrangements as soon as it’s been agreed with our partners.”
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