Westmorland and Furness Council's cabinet has pledged continued support for residents struggling with council tax and housing costs.

The council has decided to maintain its existing Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Discretionary Housing Scheme to provide both financial and non-financial assistance.

Up until the end of September 2024, the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme has assisted more than 12,500 claims from individuals and families.

In 2023/2024, the council’s Discretionary Housing Scheme awarded almost 800 payments.

Both initiatives aim to help those assessed as needing financial support with their council tax or housing payments, due to low income and financial hardship.

The council said its Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme will also continue to support armed forces members, with a 100 per cent voluntary disregard under the scheme of War Disablement Pensions, War Widows Pensions, and War Widowers’ Pensions.

Beyond financial support, the council say that their teams will assist individuals and families access appropriate advice and guidance services to support their needs.

Councillor Andrew Jarvis, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: "The cost of living crisis continues to be very real for a lot of people.

"As a council we want to do as much as we can to support those in need in our community.

"These two support schemes agreed this week are designed to provide real help to those on low incomes or facing financial hardship.

"They allow Westmorland and Furness Council to work closely with residents to provide financial assistance to those in most need and also provide wider support, such as identifying other benefits that people may also be eligible for."

The council said that the two schemes both work to clear eligibility and criteria to ensure a 'consistent and fair approach is taken in decision-making and assessment'.

For more information about the scheme, visit the council's website at westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.