Notices Devon CC Cost of living support

Posted: Monday 13^th February '23

DCC has a dedicated website with lots of useful information and advice – the short link is devon.cc/costofliving

In addition there are still a number of grants/funds available that people may want to access. A lot of this information is online but the schemes include:

• Household Support Fund

This fund is to support households that are struggling to pay for food, energy, water bills and other related essentials; especially those who may not be eligible for other Government support.

• Free School Meals and Free school meals holiday voucher scheme

All children up to year two at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. From year 3 onwards, you may continue to qualify. You can check eligibility and apply on our Free School Meals  page. Additionally, families in Devon on low incomes, whose children receive free school meals, also receive school meals holiday vouchers which are funded by the Household Support Fund.  To see if your child is eligible for free school meals, or to apply, please visit our website or call our Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019

• Growing Communities Fund

Devon County Council can award grants of £500 – £3,000 to groups or projects that address hardship such as food or fuel insecurity, offering warm safe spaces, something to eat and drink, and a place to work, learn or socialise. Or help to build community resilience – e.g., guidance on budgeting, cooking low-cost nutritional meals. They will also support projects tackling loneliness and isolation

• Citizens Advice Devon

Devon County Council continues to provide funding to Citizens Advice Devon to provide independent and impartial support and advice.

• The Holiday Activity and Food Programme

This programme supports children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.