£4.5m Fund Set to Support Low-Income Households in Cornwall Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis

Cornwall’s low-income households will soon receive additional financial support, thanks to a £4.5m boost from the Household Support Fund (HSF), secured by Cornwall Council through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This fund aims to help vulnerable residents cover essential costs as living expenses continue to rise.

Automatic Payments for Eligible Residents

Eligible households will automatically receive payments of £80 per person. This includes pensioners receiving council tax support, as well as low-income families. Notably, an additional 3,000 pensioners in receipt of council tax support, who previously did not qualify for assistance, will now receive the payments. Furthermore, households with children on low incomes who claim council tax support will also benefit from £80 per child.

Additional Support for Vulnerable Residents

Beyond these automatic payments, Cornwall Council will continue its work with local organisations such as Citizens Advice Cornwall, Age UK, Cornwall Rural Community Charity, Cornwall Community Foundation, and Disability Cornwall to ensure other financially vulnerable residents receive the help they need.

Supporting Essential Household Costs

Running until March 2025, the latest round of funding will provide urgent support to those struggling with the increasing cost of essentials like energy bills, water, and food.

Council Leadership Reassures Residents

Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, said: “I’m delighted that we have secured this additional funding. It’s vital that we continue to support those most in need across Cornwall, particularly as we head into the winter months. We still find ourselves in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and times remain tough, but I hope this announcement will go some way towards reassuring families struggling to make ends meet that support is there to help them pay their bills and put food on the table.”

Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor echoed this sentiment: “The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a huge impact on people across Cornwall, but by targeting this funding where it’s needed the most, we can best help families and individuals struggling to make ends meet. I am particularly pleased that we can help pensioners receiving council tax support, and not only those in receipt of pension credit. I hope this will go some way towards alleviating the anxiety I know many elderly residents are feeling as fuel bills continue to rise.”

This latest round of the HSF aims to alleviate some of the financial pressures for Cornwall’s most vulnerable residents as the cost-of-living crisis continues.