Direct Cash Payments to Residents – Estimated award £451,496

There are over 700 households of pensionable age who are not receiving the £900 payment from the DWP directly but are on a low income and in receipt of housing benefit towards their housing costs. We have therefore allocated two payments of £200 between 1 June and 30 September and a winter payment of £300 to be paid between 1 October 2023 and 31 March 2024. This will add to the direct payment being made through the winter fuel allowances.

There are over 80 households of working age who are not eligible to the DWP direct payments but are in receipt of housing benefits due to their low income. We have therefore allocated £900 per household so these households receive the same amount of support being offered as if they were in receipt of the passported benefits.

The payment for the working age group will be made between 1 June 2023 and 30 September 2023

We will be notifying the qualifying households prior to payment being made.

Third-Party Allocation of funding - £110,000

Community and Voluntary Sector

We recognise the support carers provide in the support they provide family members and spouses and without them, there would be far higher demand on social care services. We felt it was important to ensure they were not unduly under financial pressures this winter and have therefore allocated the Community and; Voluntary Sector £80,000 to distribute to carers and disabled persons. They will be assessed cases individually to assess what level of support is needed based on their income, other cost of living support received (if any) savings and current situation.

The Community and Voluntary Sector will be targeting local carers for direct support. If residents are not currently linked in with the voluntary sector and wish to self-refer, they can complete the open application process and we will refer them directly to this fund

Exeter Community Energy

Advice to residents on reducing energy bills and signposting to funding schemes is provided by Exeter Community energy through the Local Energy Advice programme (LEAP). This funding is limited and to enhance the service in Teignbridge £30K has been allocated to provide regular advice clinics, attendance at winter warm spaces and other community events, community champion training, front line worker training and case work for people with complex needs.