Kensington and Chelsea Council not delivering the Local Cost of Living fund

[Shesasuperfreak]

My friend lives in Brent and applied for help with her credit card and energy and was awarded £300 and an interest free loan.

I have looked on RBKC website and they sign post you to charities or the benefits website.
You have to dig through to see what they are spending the funds on and the most I can see is that some residents will recieve £150 but don't apply its automatic. I dont know anyone who has recieved this from the council.

The government gave millions to local boroughs and the richest one in the UK isn't delivering.

Please see Brent website and RBKC

www.brent.gov.uk/benefits-and-money-advice/resident-support-fund#overview

www.rbkc.gov.uk/housing/rent-employment-and-financial-support/household-support-fund

www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils/household-support-fund-final-guidance-for-county-councils-and-unitary-authorities-in-england

They don't have to use it in the form of handouts. Our LA the majority of it is going on fully funded holiday club places (with meals), supermarket vouchers and energy vouchers

That is really poor and the scheme is not generous at all.

I live in South Wales and I received a £500 payment towards the cost of living and in "recognition of my services" in being an unpaid carer. My DH had a £200 payment towards fuel bills as he is getting PIP. I think it is very generous of our local council and we are so grateful.

PS we did have to apply for these though and I will say that the £500 payment was not widely publicised!

Food and energy vouchers wouod have been beneficial.

Aren't you being disingenuous with your title? They are applying it, just not to you.

It's going automatically to those most in need, classified as:

Families entitled to Free School Meals will receive £3 per week-day per pupil during the school holidays.
Residents of pensionable age in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs, will receive a payment of £150.
Care Leavers living in their own accommodation in need of subsistence support will receive a £100 grant.
Vulnerable families known to Family Services in need of subsistence support will receive a £50 grant.
Vulnerable families with no recourse to public funds and those placed in hotels by the Home Office will receive £100.

Brent is clearly more generous with the amounts but doesn't that mean some will miss out altogether? Especially those unable to make an application eg if illiterate/poor English/lack of confidence.

I dont think that is comparable to what other boroughs are offering.

I also have family members who are in receipt of above benfits and haven't recieved the funds.

Also doesn't every council now pay for school meals during holidays?

The guidance given to councils for how to use the HSF allows these variations. Other councils have used the HSF to pay off CT arrears for their residents, so essentially paying themselves.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils