£4.5m Fund to Boost Financial Support for Low-Income Households in Cornwall

Low-income households in Cornwall are set to benefit from a substantial £4.5 million funding boost over the next six months, aimed at helping them manage the rising cost of living.

The funds, secured by Cornwall Council through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund (HSF), will provide financial relief to a range of vulnerable groups.

Direct Cash Payments for Vulnerable Groups

The majority of the fund will be distributed as one-off cash payments of £80, allocated as follows:

• £80 to pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit.
• £80 to adults assessed as requiring domiciliary care and receiving a financial contribution to the cost of the care from Cornwall Council.
• £80 per child for families receiving Council Tax Support on June 3, 2024.  You can find out if you are eligible for Council Tax Support on the council’s website here: Can I claim council tax support? You can apply for Council Tax Support here: Apply for Council Tax Support.
• £80 per child for families living in emergency accommodation on June 3, 2024. The placement into emergency accommodation must have been made by Cornwall Council’s Housing Options service.

Eligible individuals will receive these payments automatically by the end of June.

Council Tax Support

Families receiving Council Tax Support are encouraged to confirm their eligibility to receive the £80 HSF payment. Those who are eligible but not yet enrolled must apply by May 31. The council provides information on eligibility and the application process on its website.

Community Support and Collaboration

The remainder of the £4.5 million fund will be used to support those most in need through partnerships with organisations such as Citizens Advice Cornwall, Disability Cornwall, Cornwall Carers Service, and Community Energy Plus.

Statements from Council Leaders

Cllr Andy, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, acknowledged the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Cornwall’s families. He expressed hope that the funding would help pensioners and parents manage their bills and provide for their families.

“The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a huge impact on many families across Cornwall so it is good to see we have again secured this significant funding to help as many as possible.

“I hope it will go some way to ensure pensioners and parents in particular can pay their bills and put food on the table for their families.

“As before, the money will also allow the council and its partners to continue working hard to identify and help those most in need in Cornwall.”

Cllr Barbara, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, highlighted the shift in eligibility criteria for households with children, moving from benefits-related free school meals to Council Tax Support, to better target families on low incomes.

“Previous rounds of HSF funding have provided a much-needed boost to many families on low incomes so I am pleased we have secured an equivalent amount for the next six months.

“To ensure the money reaches those most in need, we have changed the eligibility criteria for households with children so it is now linked to whether they receive Council Tax Support rather than benefits-related free school meals.

“Because entitlement to free school meals has been protected since 2018, parents of children who are entitled to free school meals aren’t always still on a low income. By using our Council Tax Support data, we can ensure that this round of payments are going to parents who currently have a low income and are struggling with the increased costs of running their home. By better targeting the awards, we are able to help families with children of any age, rather than just school-age children.”

Previous Success and Additional Support

Previous rounds of HSF funding have benefited thousands of struggling residents and their families. Cornwall council’s website offers detailed information about the fund and other available support, including debt advice, job-seeking assistance, emergency food provision, and crisis grants.

People are also reminded that a range of support is available through other organisations and schemes, which can be found on the council’s cost of living support pages.