People in Orkney can now access the OIC Cost of Living Funding Scheme. A grant, one off payment of £200 is available to eligible households.
Around 1,500 households will automatically receive the payment within two to three weeks, this includes any household already receiving means tested Council Tax reduction, Housing Benefit and Free School Meals/Clothing Grants.
Many others will need to apply, including people who do not receive any of the above but receive:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Council exemption due to being under 18 or care experienced young people, or working people who meet the low income threshold and have savings of less than £6,000
- PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
- DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
- Attendance Allowance
- ADP (Adult Disability Payment)
- CDP (Child Disability Payment)
NOT Eligible are households which include anyone who has savings of £6,000 and over.
How to apply:
Through MyOrkney account and complete the form online here www.orkney.gov.uk/col.
Applicants need to have their bank statement (for the bank account that the grant is to be paid into) ready to upload if applying online, take it with them if applying in person or have it ready to email if phoning in.
If you cannot use the online process
Phone in to the Customer Services Teams in Kirkwall on 873535 or Stromness on 850907 where an adviser can complete the application form on your behalf. However, applicants will need to provide a copy of their bank statement by emailing to customerservice@orkney.gov.uk or stromnesscs@orkney.gov.uk .
Visit one of the service points at the main reception in Kirkwall or Warehouse Buildings in Stromness – take a bank statement where the grant will be paid into, or post in a copy of the bank statement to the relevant Customers Services reception.
Reception opening hours are here . The Kirkwall reception only opens at 10am on Wednesdays.
For those who require to apply, it is hoped that the money will be in people’s bank accounts within around four weeks, although every attempt will be made to make this sooner if possible.
The scheme will remain open for applications until 30 April 2023.
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Categories: Local News
