In particular, there has been a ‘significant’ increase in demand for crisis grants and this financial year, 6171 such applications have been made by 3561 people, with 41 per cent applying more than once. Payouts were made in 72 per cent of cases.
The £500 self isolation grant has paid out £84,000 in total to 168 individuals who required the financial assistance during an isolation period.
Homeless applications have also risen, with around the same number being recorded for this current financial year, so far, compared to the entire financial year of 2019/20.
In addition, there has been a steady rise in both council tax reduction cases and free school meal uptake. During the festive holidays, more than 3500 children received the financial equivalent of free school meals.
A full report on the matter will go before next week’s communities committee and chairman Councillor Andy Ferguson said: “If you were in any doubt about the impact of Covid-19, take a look at some of the stats in this report.
“The level of support our staff provide to those who need their help the most is absolutely exceptional and I wish to place on record my thanks to the staff across the region for their dedicated approach to assisting our residents who need our help during this pandemic.”
