Coronavirus: Information for Residents

The latest advice and information for residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Please see below for the latest advice and information for residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Updates are being issued regularly, so please do check back.

This page was last updated on 17 May 2021

Restrictions Easing from 17 May

From 17 May, restrictions are easing as we move to stage 3 of the Government's roadmap.

You should continue to work from home if you can. If you are travelling within the UK, you should do so safely and plan your journey in advance.

Gathering limits have been eased. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).

New guidance on meeting friends and family emphasises personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don't live with, you are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

You can find more guidance, including what you can and can't do at Gov.uk.

If you need urgent help but don't have any family, friends or neighbours to ask and are not receiving support directly from government, local authority or community services, you can contact us by calling 01822 813683.

Emergency Financial Assistance

West Devon Borough Council, in association with Devon County Council, have launched a Local Support Fund.

This is to support those whose financial situation has been affected by the current pandemic and are now facing financial hardship.

The COVID-19 Welfare Support Fund can provide small emergency payments of up to £50 to help with basic essentials including food support.

Welfare Support Fund - Apply Now

Protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable

The government has updated the guidance for everyone who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.

If you are in this group you will have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this, and you may have been advised to 'shield earlier this year.

You can read the new guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 in full on the government's website.

There is also information and advice on the Devon County Council website.

Depending on what you need, we will be able to help you organise support through either the NHS volunteer responder scheme or a local community group.

Emergency financial support is also available for those who need short term help to afford to pay for basic household essentials.

As well as practical support, they can also help you access information and advice on a range of things like

ordering and paying for food online or over the phone
getting vouchers or e-payment cards for volunteers to use
increasing your financial independence; and
maintaining your general health and wellbeing

You can also call us to raise concerns about someone in your community who you think needs help.

Test and Trace Support Payments

If you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and have been told to self-isolate, you may be entitled to financial support. Please use the button below to find out more and apply for a £500 payment.

Test and Trace Support Payments

Council Tax

If your income has reduced as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and you are concerned about your Council Tax, we may be able to help.

Anyone on a low income can apply to our Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme.

Council Tax Reduction - Apply Now

If you are already receiving Council Tax Reduction, you can apply to our Emergency Hardship fund.

Emergency Hardship Fund - Apply Now

If your income has reduced

If you are not working, or your income has reduced because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might be able to claim benefits (Universal Credit).

You can also claim if you've lost your job or you're self employed and can't get work.

What you can claim will depend on your situation.

Universal Credit is claimed online with the DWP	You may also be eligible for Council Tax Reduction from the council
Universal Credit - Apply Now	Council Tax Reduction - Apply Now

The Council also has an Exceptional Hardship Fund. If you are already receiving Council Tax Reduction, you can make a claim for EHF.

If you need emergency funds to help with essentials while you are waiting for a benefit claim to be processed, you can apply to our Welfare Support Fund.

If you already receive help towards your housing costs and need further assistance you can make an application to our Discretionary Housing Payment Fund.

Housing Benefit

If you fall into one of the following three categories, you can claim Housing Benefit from the Council.

You are of pension age.
You or your partner receive severe disability premium.
You live in temporary or supported accommodation.

If you already receive Housing Benefit and need further help, please see Extra Financial Help to make an application for Discretionary Housing Payments.

If you are having difficulty paying your bills

The Citizens Advice website has lots of information and advice.

Citizens' Advice Website

There are things you can do if you are struggling to pay bills like your rent, mortgage or energy bills because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Speak to the organisation that you owe money to. They might be able to help you by letting you pay smaller amounts or take a payment holiday. It is also worth checking with your bank or building society - they might be able to help you with your debts or let you delay loan or credit card repayments or have a payment holiday.

Service Updates

For the latest updates and changes to Council services, please see our Service Updates page:

Service Updates