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Support with the cost of living

For ongoing financial pressure caused by rising household costs

Help with Food and Energy costs

Warm Home Discount Scheme Eligibility:

The Warm Home Discount Scheme

Check if you're eligible for warm home discount

Energy Saving Advice

Energy saving advice

Additional support with energy costs

Help with your rent

If you receive Housing Benefit, or the Housing element for Universal Credit and you are struggling to pay rent, you can apply for a Housing Payment (HP).

You will need to provide:

  • The most recent two months of statements for all bank/savings accounts you and other adults in the property hold. Please email them as pdf files or bring/send paper copies to our offices.
  • A rent statement showing at least the last six months’ charges, payments and balance. Ask your landlord for this.
  • Proof of any debts and debt repayments you wish to be considered.
  • Relevant medical evidence to support your application if appropriate.

You can also apply for DHP for help with Rent in Advance and Removals if you are unable to meet these costs.

Important: Please be aware that your application may be refused if you have excess income or non-essential expenditure.

If you need help completing the form, please call 01884 255255 to book a phone appointment.

If you are in danger of losing your home, please email: homeless@middevon.gov.uk or call 01884 255 255.

Tenants of Mid Devon Housing:

We are committed to helping tenants who are facing financial difficulties. If you are struggling, please get in touch with your Income Neighbourhood Officer, we are here to help and will work with you to reach a solution. We work with multiple agencies in order to help including CHAT, Navigate, Citizens Advice, Age UK and National Debt Line.

You can email your Income Neighbourhood Officer on htenancy@middevon.gov.uk or call 01884 255 255. Find out who your Income Neighbourhood Officer is here.

Please check the eligibility criteria here.

Help with your council tax

If you are unable to pay your council tax and you receive Council Tax Reduction, you can apply for an Exceptional Hardship Payment.

You will need to provide:

  • The most recent two months of statements for all bank/savings accounts you and other adults in the property hold. Please email them as pdf files or bring/send paper copies to our offices.
  • Proof of any debts and debt repayments you wish to be considered.
  • Relevant medical evidence to support your application if appropriate.
  • Important: Please be aware that your application may be refused if you have excess income or non-essential expenditure.
  • If you need help completing the form, please call 01884 255 255 to book a phone appointment.
  • If you do not receive Council Tax Reduction you can still check if you are eligible.
  • If you are eligible for Council Tax Reduction please apply online.

Help with Childcare Costs

£2,000 in government funding available to help with childcare costs

Eligibility criteria:

Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Childcare Choices:

Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

School Meals

We encourage all children to have a healthy and nutritional meal at lunchtime and a snack during morning break.

Research shows that children who have a nutritionally balanced meal (rather than one that has too much sugar and fat) are better able to concentrate in lessons.

To find out more about school meals/free school meals please check out:

School meals – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

Have you heard of the Devon Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme?

The aim of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

Devon County Council are working with sixty-nine providers across Devon to offer fully funded places on HAF approved Holidays Schemes.

*Please note to access the programme children must be eligible for benefit related free school meals.

To find out what is happening in your area please check out:

https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/family-support/haf-programme

New toolkit to support parents to claim Child Benefit online

HM Revenue and Customs’ online Child Benefit claims service means the majority of parents can claim online at a time that suits them and be paid quicker new Child Benefit toolkit

Broadband and digital access support

Social Tariffs Toolkit for Internet and Mobile Phone:

Social tariffs - introduction

Low-cost broadband and mobile phone tariffs

Help in the Community

Bradninch:

St Disens Hall Warm Welcome every Wednesday 09:00 - 15:00. Hot drinks and home baking. Free to all.

The Baptist Church, Millway is open every Thursday for breakfasts and lunches.

Crediton:

Warm Spaces Programme.

Cullompton:

Souper Fridays.

Tiverton:

Sunningmead Community Centre offer free lunch on the go Fridays 11:00 - 13:00.

Uffculme:

Uffculme Community Fridge opening hours over the Christmas & New Year period will be as normal - Monday to Friday 09:30 - 11:00.

Uffculme Warm Spaces will be at Square Corner on Fridays from 10:00. A warm and friendly space where you can save on heating at home, find things to do or just have a chat. Freshly made soup & rolls as well as tea & coffee - all free.