Council using funds to support households in the South Hams

South Hams District Council is set to use £50,000 of Government COVID-19 grant funding to "support vulnerable households through the cost of living crisis" this winter.

Each year, the council receives a Discretionary Housing Payment Fund from the Department of Work and Pensions. This year, the council received £91,382 to support residents struggling with rent, security deposits and to supplement shortfalls in Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.

The fund was exhausted in December, due to the exceptional circumstances created by the cost of living crisis, and the additional pressures being put on the finances of residents.

However, the council has been eager to continue supporting residents through the crisis, and has identified that a further £50,000 can be added to the fund from money left over from COVID-19 grant funding.

Cllr Nicky Hopwood, South Hams Executive Member for Benefits, said: “I am really pleased that we will be able to support residents further with this funding.

“There is no doubt that this money is needed and it’s just another step that the Council is taking to help people through the cost of living crisis. We will continue to explore every avenue to help our residents where we can.”

You can find out about the range of help the Council is offering through the cost of living crisis by visiting our website: www.southhams.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help