Financial help to be offered to some Newtown residents

Nearly 900 Powys households, including residents across Newtown, are to receive targeted financial support as the county council launches a new initiative to help families struggling with rising costs. 

Letters will begin arriving on doorsteps next week, offering free and confidential assistance to those identified through advanced data analysis as potentially facing financial hardship. The recipients include both council tenants and homeowners across Powys, with Newtown families expected to be among those receiving this vital support.

The comprehensive help package available to Newtown residents includes support with managing household bills and energy costs, guidance on benefits and entitlements, assistance with budgeting and debt management, and advice tailored to individual circumstances.

Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, emphasised the accessibility of the support available. "If you feel that any of this support could be helpful to you or someone in your household, please don't hesitate to get in touch," he said. "We are here to help and want to make sure that everyone in our communities has access to the support they need."

The council's trained and accredited advisors can provide assistance through multiple channels, offering support online, over the telephone, or through face-to-face meetings at council offices, within the community, or even in residents' own homes.

To identify those most in need of support, Powys County Council has invested in intelligent data analytics software called LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker) for a twelve-month period. This technology-driven approach enables the council to target assistance more effectively across communities including Newtown.

"The LIFT platform should help us target our support where it's most needed and allow us to help more Powys residents to maximise their income and reduce their costs," Councillor Dorrance explained. "We would like to see everyone in Powys claiming every bit of help or support that they are entitled to."

Newtown residents who are council tenants can access support by telephoning 01597 827464, emailing fsogroup@powys.gov.uk, or visiting the council's website at https://en.powys.gov.uk/Financial-Support-Officers-Information.

For all other Newtown households, including those in private accommodation or homeowners, support is available by calling 01597 826618, emailing wrteam@powys.gov.uk, or visiting https://en.powys.gov.uk/moneyadvice.

The initiative represents a proactive approach by Powys County Council to reach out to residents before financial difficulties escalate, ensuring that support is available when and where it's needed most throughout communities like Newtown.