Fife Council is pledging extra cash for those struggling with their rent.
The local authority has stated claims to a housing fund have risen sevenfold since the introduction of changes to welfare benefits by the UK Government.
Members of the council’s executive committee agreed to top up the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund by £808,515 the maximum cash injection allowed at their meeting this week.
The move, along with the adoption of a new DHP policy, will extend the help for the growing number of people in the region’s communities fighting to make ends meet and is one of the most generous funds of this type in the country, according to the council.
The new DHP policy also means more support for priority cases in the region. DHP is available for people who have had their housing benefit reduced because of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.
The fund is designed to give Fifers breathing space until they adjust to changes.
From April 1 to now, Fife Council has processed 1,913 applications and has made awards totaling £290,409 to 1,278 applicants, with 1,140 of those made as a consequence of under-occupation.
Depute council leader David Ross said: “We’ve seen a huge increase in applications for help through the DHP fund. The council is determined to do everything it can to support the hardest hit in our communities and that’s why we’ve agreed extra money for those who need it.
“Fife’s DHP scheme is already one of the most generous in Scotland and this extra money for the DHP fund will help extend the number of people who will be able to get short-term financial help to make ends meet.
“The council is only allowed, by law, to invest a certain amount into the DHP fund so we have to ask that people applying for DHP can demonstrate they need financial help.”