Devon Families Get £9M Support: There’s significant news for Devon’s most vulnerable families. Devon County Council (DCC) has received over £8.9 million (approximately £9 million) in funding to help families facing financial hardship. This funding was provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Seventh Household Support Fund (HSF7) and is to be used by March 31, 2026.
Immediate Help, Quick Solutions
The fund’s primary goal is to provide immediate and short-term financial assistance to families struggling to meet basic needs such as food, energy, and water. It can be used to cover the cost of essential items, as well as to assist with immediate housing costs in exceptional emergencies, if existing assistance schemes are unable to meet this need.
Expanding Support Across Devon
This fund covers the entire Devon County Council administrative area. However, information regarding other areas, such as Torbay and Plymouth, will need to be obtained from their respective councils. DCC has developed a robust mechanism in collaboration with district councils and community organizations to identify and provide assistance to families in need.
Key support channels include:
1. Free School Meal Holiday Vouchers:
Families of children receiving free school meals will automatically receive £15 per week of supermarket vouchers during the holidays. This aims to ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious food during the holidays.
2. District-Level Hardship Schemes:
Each district in Devon will have its own HSF7 hardship scheme. Each district council will use locally available data to identify vulnerable families and provide them with direct financial assistance. This assistance can be provided for food, energy, water costs, or through an open application-based scheme. Families with pensioners, disabilities, carers, and single parents are expected to benefit particularly.
3. Citizens Advice Devon Energy and Water Relief Scheme:
Under this scheme, Citizens Advice will issue vouchers directly to people struggling to pay their energy and water bills. For long-term relief, energy-saving equipment such as blankets and body warmers will also be provided to help keep homes warm.
4. DCC Initial Assistance:
Low-income families struggling with food and utility bills can apply for an instant grant under this scheme. Applications can be made through a registered professional (e.g., social worker, teacher).
5. Food, Fuel and More:
In partnership with the Devon Community Foundation, grants will be provided to community organizations to directly assist families in crisis. This will serve as a safety net for those who cannot access traditional support channels.
Next Steps and Where to Find Information
Families interested in receiving assistance should first check the ‘Cost of Living Support’ or similar page on their local district council’s official website. These pages will be updated as plans are finalized.
DCC and its partner organizations will actively communicate all these support options across Devon. Information will be sent directly and in a timely manner to families in need.
This fund is a limited resource and will not be available again once exhausted. Therefore, families in need of assistance are advised to contact their local council as soon as possible. This initiative could prove to be a vital lifeline for Devon residents during this time of financial crisis.