Portsmouth City Council support scheme to help with rising costs

A brand new help scheme has opened to assist low-income households with the rising prices of power and water.Portsmouth Metropolis Council’s utilities cost scheme presents £150 for eligible single households, or £200 for {couples} and households within the metropolis.Council chief Steve Pitt mentioned the launch got here simply after the most recent power value cap announcement that gasoline and electrical energy payments would rise for thousands and thousands of individuals.Functions will likely be open till the top of 27 October, although the scheme could shut earlier if funding runs out.The brand new utilities cost scheme is geared toward single dad and mom on Common Credit score, carers, pensioners receiving PIP or Attendance Allowance, care leavers, and low-income adults unable to work resulting from restricted capability.It’s a part of the broader government-funded Family Assist Fund to assist folks with necessities resembling meals, power and water payments.Mr Pitt mentioned the scheme had been created “to present extra monetary assist to a few of our most susceptible residents forward of the winter, when folks have to warmth their houses”.The native authority mentioned candidates should additionally meet strict earnings thresholds.Residents can apply on-line on the council’s web site or name the family help group.