UK Bill Help

The Cornwall Council offers emergency assistance from the Cornwall crisis and care award scheme. There is help for both people facing a disaster, such as a fire or flood, as well as families under exceptional financial pressure. Examples of those situations in which a family is eligible can be a resident that needs transportation for health care or that requires help in obtaining food.

The grants from the council are part of the central government welfare scheme and they are only for the very low income in Cornwall. Applicants also need to be over the age of 16 and local to the county. One additional service provided by the council that not all other agencies offer is the ongoing advice for addressing the cause of the financial crisis. So families and individuals in Cornwall can not only receive financial aid, but they will get support on job training, budgeting, and more.

Application process and uses of funds

Any crisis assistance is limited and provided at the discretion of the council. They will assess each application and make a decision based on merit. However, a grant will only be for people that have a low income and less than £1,500 in savings. They also need to be over the age of 16 and faced with a disaster or financial emergency.

Also, funds are only for people local to Cornwall. In addition, an award from the Cornwall crisis and care scheme is usually for residents on benefits. However the council can always make exceptions to this as all aid is provided at their discretion. The applicant will also need to prove their income, why they have a need, and bring other support required.

If found to be eligible, the amount of the grant provided will vary, but it will almost always be less than £1,500. Each year the government determines the total budget for the welfare programme. They will also determine the maximum amount of awards issued. So the amounts paid out will vary and once the fund has been used up than no other applications will be accepted for that year.

The use of the grants as well as the amount of help provided by the Cornwall council will depend on the applicant circumstances and need. But some uses of the money can be as follows.

• The council can help a tenant pay the rent in advance for non-social housing.
• Households impacted by a disaster can be given new furniture, appliances, clothing, or other goods for their home.
• Emergency transportation between towns in Cornwall.
• Families may receive food in partnership with both independent and Trussell Trust food banks.
• Other support from the Cornwall crisis scheme include bedding, baby nappies, housing placement, white goods, and pre-paid fuel cards.

The assistance is issued in a few different ways. If someone needs clothing or material goods, then the council will pay for them and deliver the items to the Cornwall home. Utility bills or expenses such as for heat or rent in advance will be covered using a pre-paid card issued by the council. So the method of payment will vary. But rarely will the Cornwall Council issue money as part of an award from the crisis and care welfare scheme.

Any award will also require the individual to enroll into budgeting and other support services. The council expects the family to find a long term solution. They will offer the tools needed to do this.

The apply for a grant or even advice, call the benefits team at 0300 1234 121. The council will review the application and make a decision within five business days.