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More support for residents who need it most after extra £2.6m Government cash confirmed

Community Advice and Support
09:14, Wednesday, 15th March 2023

North Lincolnshire residents most in need are set to share more than £2.6m across the coming year to help ease the pressure of global inflation.

The money – which is on top of the almost £4m already provided – will be used to help thousands of pensioners, people with disabilities and families on fixed incomes pay energy bills and meet the rising cost of food bills.

Councillor Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said, “The Household Support Fund has been a lifeline for many North Lincolnshire residents during challenging times. I am pleased that the Government has provided additional funding, and we will continue to prioritise supporting the most vulnerable in our community.

“We will also continue to help people into new jobs and increase their earnings by working with partners, welcoming hundreds of people to our Jobs Expos, to get the skills they need to increase their own income.”

This latest round of funding is on top of the £150 council tax energy rebate, the £400 direct payments from bills and the recent energy cap which the Government has subsidised.

Previous HSF schemes have pumped almost £4m into the local economy by supporting those most in need. As well as financial support the council has worked with partners to help people into work or increase their earning power.

From April, households will be able to apply for welfare assistance grants through the council – which recently froze general council tax for the coming year.

Cllr Elaine Marper, cabinet member for finance, said: “More than 6,000 families have been helped through this scheme in the last year. We have worked with local schools to distribute food vouchers to more than 8,000 families and around 5,000 pensioners who receive council tax support received an extra £200 to help with energy bills.

“Inflation continues to present challenges but the Government is backing the council to provide for the most vulnerable people across North Lincolnshire.”

Details on how the new money will be distributed will be announced in the coming weeks.