The London Borough of Bexley has been allocated a grant of £1.54m to support residents most in need.
The funds are the latest allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Council will work with voluntary and community partners to distribute the funding.
The funding will have a particular focus on providing support to older residents following the decision taken by the Government to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from most pensioners in Bexley.
Other changes to the distribution of funds following the Winter Fuel Payment decision include the support for warm spaces.
Approximately 34,000 older residents in Bexley are set to lose the annual payment.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr David Leaf said:
“We know 1,000s of residents in the borough are preparing to feel the pinch in the next few months, following the Government’s cruel and mean decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.
While we are not able to cover the cost for everyone affected, we are looking to provide support to those who are most in need.
The HSF funds will be available to those residents in the same way as before, via our partners. Together we will make sure that the people who need it most receive our support.”
The funding will be used to provide a range of support including:
- Free School Meals in the school holidays
- Housing Services
- Adult Social Care and organisations specifically focused on supporting older people
- Organisations providing support for unpaid carers and young carers
- Local organisations supporting people affected by domestic abuse
- Local foodbanks and community pantries/fridgesLocal community organisations that specialise in the provision of white goods and furniture
- Local organisations that support with debt and benefits advice to households
- Local organisations who are offering warm spaces during the winter months
Part of the HSF funding will go towards additional welfare and debt advice capacity and a wide ranging information campaign.
The funding will shortly be allocated to local groups to distribute. Details on the groups involved with more information will be available on the Council’s website.
Details of organisations that can offer information and advice for anyone struggling with the cost of living can be found on our cost of living pages.