Devon County Council has issued a special edition of its Connect Me newsletter setting out the support available for people struggling with the rise in the cost of living. It covers the following schemes available to Devon residents and the community organisations that are supporting vulnerable people:<\/p>\n
Household Support Fund<\/strong> \u2013 funding available through local councils to help people who are struggling to pay for food, energy, water bills and other related essentials<\/p>\n Citizens Advice Devon Energy Relief Scheme<\/strong> – to help people using pre-payment meters and who are struggling to meet their energy needs<\/p>\n Free retrofit energy saving improvements<\/strong> \u2013 to help vulnerable households to make quick, minor improvements to their homes to make them warmer and more energy efficient<\/p>\n Home Upgrade Grant 2<\/strong> \u2013 for lower-income households whose homes are not on the gas network and have a low energy-performance rating<\/p>\n Food, Fuel & More grants<\/strong> \u2013 grants for voluntary-sector organisations supporting people who don\u2019t always get the help they need and are therefore likely to be impacted more severely by the cost-of-living crisis<\/p>\n Team Devon hardship schemes<\/strong> – ‘one off’ financial help via District Councils for households\u00a0who are vulnerable and struggling financially to secure food, water, energy and other essentials<\/p>\n Free School Meals\/ holidays supermarket vouchers & activities<\/strong> \u2013 advice to parents to check their eligibility for free school meals: families eligible for benefits-related free school meals may also be entitled to support in the school holidays<\/p>\n Growing Communities Fund<\/strong> \u2013 not-for-profit organisations in Devon can apply for funding to help provide food, warmth and social interaction for people in their local area<\/p>\n There is also information about other support such as help with managing your finances, warm spaces in libraries, community fridges and cheaper broadband packages.<\/p>\n