Extra funding has been awarded to the Isle of Wight Council to continue to provide crisis support to vulnerable households in most need.
This is the fifth tranche of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) that the authority has received.
The latest grant amounts to £1.1 million and will enable the council to provide support until September 2024. The sum boosts the Island's total funding to more than £6.7 million since the fund's launch.
The funding is to support those struggling to afford household essentials such as food as well as energy and water bills.
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said:
"I am very pleased that the HSF has been extended again for another six months as it will continue to provide crucial support to the most vulnerable local households during these challenging times.
"As well as looking at how the council can distribute this fund, we have also recognised the expertise our local partners bring and provided them with funding to strengthen the delivery of their own services.
"By working together we have been able to do the best by local residents and make this funding as effective as it can be."
The schemes that will be delivered across the Island as a result of the new funding include:
- Food vouchers — Up to two £25 food vouchers will be available to those in crisis with a one-off £25 food voucher for up to 10,000 households in receipt of Local Council Tax Support.
- Grant funding to Help Through Crisis to support people with utility bills, crisis food support and energy efficient white goods where the need is identified.
- A grant pot of £130,000 to be used to support and expand the network of community pantries across the Island.
- Community grants for charities, community organisations and town, parish and community councils to help meet needs within their local communities.
The latest instalment of HSF follows the previous funding round from the Department for Work and Pensions which ran from April 2023 until March 2024.
During this time the council has been able to allocate the funding to 80 charities, community organisations and education providers to support more than 32,000 Isle of Wight households.
This has included the provision of food hampers, hygiene hampers, heated blankets and support with transport costs as well as helping people with their utility bills and to improve energy efficiency reducing their household expenditure.
For more information about available support on the Island, visit the council's dedicated cost of living web pages.
New Island Line Timetable From This Weekend
Young Enterprise Glory For Carisbrooke And Medina College Team
Pharmacy Opening Times For The Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Time Running Out To Share Your Views On Future Transport Needs For Isle Of Wight
Wightlink Wizards Star Morgan Williams To Become First Island Born Wightlink Warriors Rider
Solent Exercise Turns Into Needles Rescue Operation
Can You Help To Locate Stolen 'Sentimental Print'?
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
