Derbyshire County Council have a grant fund available to help people in a crisis or needing household items. Payments can be made to buy food, or help with gas and electricity – part of the fund is available to buy items such as a fridge, cooker or furniture.
There are potentially two types of awards available from the DDF, called:
Neither of the above have to be paid back. The Emergency Cash Payments are made available to you if you cannot pay for food, heating or emergency travel, which could lead to an immediate and serious risk to your health and safety or that of a member of your family; this could be due to a crisis or disaster.
The Exceptional Pressures Grant is made available to you if you are in receipt of benefits and have a low income. The grant may help you if you have particular difficulties –i.e. –returning to the community after a spell in care – or to remain living in the community rather than have to go into care (could be hospital). This grant can also be payable to ease exceptional pressures on your family or to meet certain travel expenses.
The DDF can only make a payment to you if you are over 16 and living in Derbyshire.
You cannot receive more than 3 Emergency Cash Payments in a 12-month period.
You can apply for DDF grants by calling – 01629 533399.