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North Somerset Council is set to receive £2,305,042.89 which will financially benefit vulnerable families, pensioners, children who are eligible for free school meals, those ‘just managing’ and third-party organisations such as the Fuel Bank, Handy Person Service, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Salvation Army.
The funding will support vulnerable residents with increasing energy and water costs, food, wider essential services such as phone and broadband, clothing, white goods, transport and housing costs (in case of genuine emergency).
The Council will provide an automatic £50 food voucher to all working age Council Tax Reduction (CTR) claimants, all pension age CTR claimants, residents with severe mental impairment (SMI), Housing Benefit claimants (not receiving CTR), and all care leavers in June 2025 and January 2026. This is estimated to support over 12,500 North Somerset residents across the year.
A £100 food voucher will also be given to each child in receipt of Free School Meals. It is estimated that this will apply to 5,200 North Somerset young people and will be distributed in June.
The Council will also create a Council Tax Reduction Hardship fund totalling £100,000 to provide support to households negatively impacted by the change from a Council Tax Support scheme to a Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme.
The new CTR scheme is simpler and makes it easier for residents to understand their entitlements. While the overall budget allocated for council tax support remains the same, some residents will see the same level of support, while others may see potential increases or decreases.
Grant allocations of £140,000 will be made to the Handy Person Service (£20,000), Salvation Army (£10,000), Fuel Bank (£30,000), the Citizen Advice Bureau Fuel Support (£30,000) and an extension of the FirstSteps Scheme via CAB (£50,000) who can help support those in need. A further £10,000 will be allocated support the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the For All Healthy Living Company.
For residents who are financially vulnerable but do not meet one of the identified categories above – the ‘just about managing’ - £220,000 is being set aside. Requests to access this fund can be made via the North Somerset Website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/hsf.
Finally, £70,000 is also available to provide sustainable items such as white goods, bedding etc, which can be applied for through an extension to the existing ‘Welfare Support Scheme’ available online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/wps.
Cllr Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council said: “We want to do everything we can to help North Somerset residents who may be struggling as bills continue to increase. Cost of living pressures remain which is why we are proving free food vouchers, creating a Council Tax Reduction Hardship fund and supporting key organisations across our area. No one should go hungry or worry about staying warm. If you need help or support, please get in touch.”
The amount of help via the Welfare Provision Scheme will depend on individual circumstances. Find out more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/wps. Applications to the Welfare Provision Scheme can be made by phone on 01934 888 035 or 0800 138 5665 (10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
For a round-up of local advice and guidance about the cost-of-living crisis including help with bills, childcare costs, food support, housing, energy and heating and lots more, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col.