Argyll and Bute Council has launched a new fund aimed at tackling financial insecurity for adults and families across Argyll and Bute.

The Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund (ABFFF) offers financial support and wider confidential professional help to anyone suffering hardship. Working in partnership with the Community Food Forum, Bute Advice Centre and ALIenergy, households with low incomes and no access to cash savings can apply for immediate financial support. The Fund will help support daily living expenses.

If the claimant engages with these services, a second payment will be made to contribute to a further months daily living expenses.

Applications to the Fund can be made via an online claim form available on the council’s website. If you need help or support to complete the form please call us on 01700 502784 and ask about the Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council:

“Launching the Flexible Food Fund and offering crisis grants will provide a critical lifeline to so many people across Argyll and Bute. The pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on our communities, many through no fault of their own. With loss of income, additional childcare and closed businesses, there is a real need to provide as much help and support as we can.

We are working with trusted partners working remotely to cover the whole of Argyll and Bute. All cases are handled sensitively and in complete confidence. 

We hope that by providing essential access to funds and much needed wider support, we can help people out of crisis and enable them to move forward and manage their available financial resources. I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in difficult circumstances to get in touch. We are here to help. ”

Additional help
When claiming for the Flexible Food Fund, you will also be considered for a Crisis Grant to meet any immediate needs for help with daily living expenses.

Working with the Community Food Forum a referral route to ABFFF is also available through local foodbanks. This will ensure families with a genuine need are properly assessed for support and receive professional help.

For more information about the Flexible Food Fund including payment details for households, visit https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/forms/flexible-food-fund