Support fund helps those in financial hardship

Published: 13 November 2020

People in Exeter who are finding themselves in financial difficulty due to the Coronavirus outbreak may be able to get help via a support grant.

Exeter City Council has already awarded over £50,000 from Devon County Council’s COVID-19 Wellbeing Support Fund. The government has allocated £174,850 for the local fund.

The grants are aimed at helping individuals who are unable to access support from any other local or national initiatives. The money can help fund daily essential needs such as emergency food, transport to essential appointments, nappies and gas or electricity.

Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Communities and Culture, said: “These are very difficult times and we know that there are many people who are struggling financially at the moment and do not have any support.

“We know that coronavirus is putting a huge financial strain on some people, with work and income circumstances changing overnight as a result of ‘lockdown’.

“If you are worried about money and how make ends meet, we can offer help available through this fund.

Those who may be eligible to access short term funds as a result of a fall in their disposal income include:                                                                                                                                    

• Self-employed people who are unable to trade, in the interim until their tax-based grants are paid from June 2020
• Self-employed people who started business recently and are not eligible for a grant.
• Employees whose employment has been terminated or those still in work but on short time, and where Universal Credit is not yet in payment, or represents a significant drop in income
• Employees who may have lost their jobs but are not eligible for furlough
• Employees who are sick and either not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, or where Statutory Sick Pay represents a significant drop in income
• People who are isolated and unable to source supplies and are not served by local voluntary help or by shielding
• Older people who are not served by local voluntary help and are not able to access any other support

Applications can be made online at https://exeter.gov.uk/ExeterWellbeingSupportFund, or by calling 01392 265000. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am to 12 noon.