Published: Thursday 19 May 2022
We have been awarded £1.18 million from the Government’s Household Support Fund to help residents with the rise in the cost of living.
The Council will use the funding to provide immediate support for food, energy and other essentials.
Part of the grant funding will provide around 4,500 eligible children with school meals from the May half term holiday 2022 to the end of the summer holiday 2022. The Council will provide £480,00 worth of free school meals for a total of seven holiday weeks and up to two inset days in September 2022.
An estimated 170 care leavers in their own accommodation will have access to grants of up to £100, as will vulnerable groups known to Family Services who present in crisis during this period. We have set aside to help support crisis vulnerable groups known to Family Services who present in crisis during this period.
Almost £3,000 has been set aside to help support crisis vulnerable groups known to Family Services who present in crisis during this period.
Kensington and Chelsea has one of the highest percentages of pensioner households and £645,000 has been made available to an estimated 4,300 pensioners who are in receipt of housing benefits or council tax reduction.
Social workers and our Family Services team will be directly contacting those eligible for these funds, so there is no need for residents to take any action.
We’re also working with Green Doctors who offer support through home visits or telephone consultations to elderly residents, those on a low income or those with a disability. The Council aims to provide at least 100 free home energy consultations every year.
Leader of the Council Cllr Elizabeth Campbell said:
“The cost of living is rising rapidly, so we are taking rapid action to support our residents – particularly those on lower incomes who may be struggling the most.
“The Household Support Fund will provide immediate help with essential costs and ensure thousands of children receive meals during the school holidays. We are also creating a hub full of resources where our residents can learn what support is available.”
So far, we have given out £2,055,750 in council tax energy rebate payments to residents living in the borough. We are currently processing £120 payments to those not eligible for the council tax rebate.
Earlier this year the council gave out almost £80,000 worth of supermarket vouchers to assist council tenants living in the borough.