AS schools close their doors for the summer holidays, Devon County Council says that it's aware that the financial challenges facing some households in Devon will be intensified over the next few weeks.

Increased costs such as food and activities, particularly with the current cost of living, and reduced incomes due to childcare, mean that this year’s holiday break could be especially difficult.

The council is reminding people of the support available through the Government’s Household Support Fund, which is planned to run until Monday, September 30.

Earlier this year the council was allocated a little over £5 million from the Government to help households struggling to pay higher bills for energy, food, water, and other essential items.

The council used just over £2.2m of the fund to send children who receive benefits-related free school meals supermarket vouchers worth £105 to spend on replacing the meals they would have had at school during the day.

It’s the equivalent of £15 per week of the one week May half term and six-week summer holiday and has been distributed in one lump sum now to allow families some flexibility on how they spend the vouchers and try to help with the additional pressure the summer period puts on household budgets.

Supermarket vouchers have already been sent to families whose children currently receive free school meals, and the council is asking those families to check their inbox and redeem them.

Any family expecting to receive the vouchers, but hasn't yet, please get in touch with the council as soon as possible by emailing: [email protected]  or calling 0345 155 1019.

People’s circumstances change all the time, so if a family didn’t previously qualify for free school meals but their income has recently reduced or stopped,  please apply via the council's website: https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/school-information/school-meals/ .

It’s the quickest and easiest way to assess a family's eligibility and they will get an instant decision.  Find out more about the free school meal holiday voucher scheme on the council's website: https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/school-information/school-meals/free-school-meals-holiday-voucher-scheme/ .

Funding for financial support for food, energy and other essentials to eligible low income households with children and young people is also available through their Early Help service: https://devoncountycouncil.outsystemsenterprise.com/MASH/homepage .

Devon’s District and City councils have been busy proactively identifying vulnerable and in-need households, making contact with them and offering “one-off” financial assistance.

Households can also apply for short-term help if they are experiencing financial hardship, for example, those struggling financially to secure food, water, energy, essential and exceptional (for example, rent arrears prior to being in receipt of appropriate housing benefits) provisions.

Visit the cost of living and support pages on your district council’s website to find out more about support in your local area:

East Devon Exeter Mid Devon North Devon South Hams Teignbridge Torridge and West Devon .

If you are struggling to afford energy, Citizens Advice Devon (About Us - Citizens Advice Devon (cabdevon.org.uk) can help.

DCC has allocated them £150k of the Household Support Fund money to provide fuel support for electricity and gas. You can contact any local office for this support and to discuss your situation. In many cases they can offer additional energy and financial advice that may actually save you far more.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for communities, said: “For many people in Devon, a small change in their personal circumstances, or an unexpected cost out of the blue, can put them in real difficulty, and we know that there are people in our communities who will struggle to cope.

“This money supports those most in need, and by working with our colleagues across Devon’s district and city councils and the community and charity sector, and sharing knowledge and expertise about the communities they work in, we make sure it reaches the right people.

“If you’re struggling financially, for whatever reason, please take some time to look at our website and check what support you may be eligible for.”

The Household Support Fund is just one part of the support that councils across the county are making available to households. For more information about the range of support available, visit our website: https://www.devon.gov.uk/cost-of-living/ .