A new Anti-Poverty Taskforce has been launched in Perth and Kinross to help tackle poverty in the area, with an additional £470,000 of funding now available to help those in need.
With the rising energy, fuel and food costs a lot of people are beginning to feel the pinch as the cost-of-living rises.
Perth & Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “We are on the precipice of a crisis that will hit our most vulnerable residents the hardest. Those who are already struggling to make ends could easily find themselves in an impossible situation.
“Although many consider Perth and Kinross to be an affluent area, we know there are pockets of real poverty and that even in areas of high employment, many are on low wages.
“We’ve committed additional funding to help residents already but know there is much more that needs done. Protecting our residents is our priority, and our Cost-of-Living strategy underlines our commitment to them.”
The new taskforce will see the Council work with partner agencies, businesses, third sector organisations and communities to co-ordinate the response to the crisis.
What Help is Available from Perth and Kinross Council?
The council and their community partners have a wide range of support available to help those who might be struggling with their household bills.
Benefits support and advice
The Welfare Rights Team in the council are there to help ensure that all residents receive their entitlement to benefits and other related help, by providing free, confidential and impartial advice and information.
Anyone needing advice can use the online referral form at https://www.pkc.gov.uk/wrt or call on 01738 476900 (Option 1).
PKC Financial Insecurity Fund
This fund is specifically designed to tackle financial insecurity and support households with essential needs and priority debts over the winter. It has been created using the Council’s share of £20 million provided by the Scottish Government for this purpose.
People can also apply to the Financial Insecurity Fund if they have:
- No recourse to public funds
- Priority debts including fuel debt
- Broadband debt that prevents you getting online, or you require a data package
- Difficulty meeting the essential costs of children under two-years-old or a child with disabilities of any age, such as nappies, milk or wipes
- Additional costs of living rurally
Applications can be made via https://www.pkc.gov.uk/financialinsecurityfund or by calling the Council’s Customer Service Centre on 0345 30 111 00.
A decision on all applications will be made within 15 working days of its submission.
Free school meals and clothing grants
Free school meals are offered to all pupils in P1 to P5, children above this you may be able to claim free school meals if certain benefits are being claimed by their household. You may also qualify for a school clothing grant for your children.
Call 01738 476200 for more information or view the free school meals and clothing grants page https://www.pkc.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
For more information on the full list of support available from Perth and Kinross Council visit https://www.pkc.gov.uk/costofliving