Dozens of crisis payments handed out by council

Nearly 80 crisis grant payments have been given out over a couple of months as people struggle financially, a council heard.

West Devon Council's Hub Committee was told 78 payments had been made through Crisis and Resilience Fund applications since April, with many going to families dealing with surging heating oil costs.

The fund superseded the Household Support Fund which was set up in response to the cost of living crisis, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillors approved recommendations including setting up an in-house advice and support team with South Hams District Council to help deal with the number of applications for funding, which had become "a daily occurrence".

The fund aims to help people deal with financial difficulties in the long term.

People experiencing acute financial hardship have to apply for grants and under new government rules have to be paid within 48 hours of a receipt of a completed application.

A payment may have a requirement attached for the resident to demonstrate engagement with wider support services.

West Devon received more than £300,000 from a £8.4m funding pot for Devon with two-thirds to be spent on providing quick payments to people in immediate crisis and the rest to help people build financial resilience.

Councillors decided to spend £20,000 each on a case worker for two days a week over a year who specialise in welfare benefits and debt advice from Homemaker Southwest and coordinated support from West Devon Council for Voluntary Service.

Homemaker Southwest was previously given a grant of £5,000 and achieved financial and charitable gains for residents of £20,600 over a six-month period.

The authority said the figure may have been higher had it not been for the failure of residents to engage following a referral, with only 52% engaging with the service.

The committee has also instructed officers to ring-fenced about £10,000 for the provision of slow cookers, electric blankets, warm clothing and other consumables.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.