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<i>From OIC Updates on Facebook:</i><br>
A Council cost of living crisis funding scheme for eligible
households is now open for applications.<br>
It is anticipated that up to around 8,550 households across Orkney –
out of a total of around 11,000 – could benefit from the award of
£200 per home. The grant award is limited to one payment per
household.<br>
The scheme agreed by Councillors is being funded from the Council’s
Strategic Reserve Fund at a potential cost of £1,710,000 if there’s
full uptake.<br>
It’s open to households on benefits/entitlements or those on a low
income who are struggling with rising costs, but importantly the
Council additionally recognised that there are many more households
who are facing challenges with the cost of living and therefore the
scheme has been designed to provide support for those who haven’t
previously been eligible for the majority of cost of living support
grants or benefits.<br>
Some will automatically receive the payment and others will need to
apply – we will share more on this shortly.<br>
One of the quickest ways to apply is to set up a MyOrkney account
and complete the form online here <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.orkney.gov.uk/col">www.orkney.gov.uk/col</a>.<br>
We are asking people to please use the online facility if at all
possible but if unable customers can phone in to the Customer
Services Teams in Kirkwall on 873535 or Stromness on 850907 where an
adviser can complete the application form on their behalf. However,
applicants will need to provide a copy of their bank statement by
emailing to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:customerservice@orkney.gov.uk">customerservice@orkney.gov.uk</a> or
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:stromnesscs@orkney.gov.uk">stromnesscs@orkney.gov.uk</a> .<br>
Alternatively, they can visit one of our service points at the main
reception in Kirkwall or Warehouse Buildings in Stromness – remember
to take a bank statement where the grant will be paid into, or they
can post in a copy of their bank statement to the relevant Customers
Services reception.<br>
Please note that the reception points in Kirkwall and Stromness and
phones may be very busy so please be patient. It may be best to try
and avoid the lunchtime period between 12pm and 2pm when less staff
are on duty. <br>
The Kirkwall reception only opens at 10am on Wednesdays and it’s
9.15am in Stromness.<br>
You can apply up until 30 April 2023.<br>
For the full story head here
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7083">https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7083</a>.
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