A COLCHESTER dad was left unable to pay his bills and put food on the table for his son due to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

Colchester City Council gave examples of the issues experiences by the 768 residents it has had to help from September through to the beginning of December 2022.

The authority said its financial and employment team is “one of the first lines of support” for those facing hardship.

The council said the hundreds of residents in need of this support are struggling to feed their families, keep their homes warm and pay essential bills.

A spokesman said one dad was unable to pay his bills and buy food for his son.

He said: “The council helped him access support from the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) and Household Support Fund (HSF).

“Both were awarded quickly, meaning bills could be paid and they could buy food.

“The team also had regular catch-ups with the dad and supported him to access computer skills training to increase his future employment opportunities.”

In a further example, the council said a woman who lost her job due to ill health feared she would be unable to pay her bills.

The council spokesman added: “The council’s welfare benefit specialist was able to support her to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which helps with extra living costs associated with poor health.

“They also let her know that she could apply for support through the Local Council Tax Scheme (LCTS) and talked her through how to apply.

“She was also referred to Warm Homes Essex for support and energy advice.”

Council leader David King said the authority’s services are seeing an “increased demand” from people suffering financial hardship.

“We will continue to be there for everyone that needs us,” he said.

“It is sad that there are so many pressures on so many, but I am pleased that with our partners we have been able to help hundreds of residents, some with multiple needs.

“We remain committed to supporting our residents through the long winter ahead, from encouraging warm spaces to ensuring the range of support is understood and accessed.

“Our financial and employment team, and many local partners, are working flat-out to be there digitally or at the end of a phone or in person and will be launching a new set of ‘pop up’ events across Colchester in the New Year.

“Together, we will keep our promise to make those most vulnerable and in need our priority through this long cost-of-living crisis.”

Find information and the cost of living support web pages here.