South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation has set up a Sheffield Cost of Living Fund, kickstarted by a 20K donation from Sheffield City Council. SYCF is asking for donations from anyone who feels able to help those who are struggling more than them and has set up a JustGiving page. Some people are coming forward to donate some or all of their £150 Council Tax energy rebate.
The fund will be made available as grants to organisations, including food banks, that are supporting local people with the cost of living crisis.
At the end of April the Chancellor announced new measures to support people with cost of living challenges. Measures include:-
- A ‘temporary targeted energy profits levy’ / windfall tax on the energy and gas sector to raise around £5bn
- Benefit claimants (UC, Tax Credits, Pension Credit and legacy benefits) will receive a £650 one-off cost of living payment
- From autumn, pensioner households who receive the winter fuel payment will receive an extra cost of living payment of £300
- People receiving non-means tested disability benefits will receive an extra one-off payment of £150
- The Household Support Fund will be extended by £500 million from October
- The £200 energy bill rebate announced earlier this year will be converted into a grant and doubled to £400.
