SOMERSET Community Foundation, which runs the Somerset Flood Relief Fund, is offering an extra £500 to flooded households in the county.

The Foundation says the grant is offered “in recognition of hidden and intangible costs that are difficult to keep track of or describe on a normal application form.”

Flooded households that have an income of £3,000 or less per month after accommodation costs and council tax are eligible for the additional grant.

The Foundation will be contacting eligible households this week – it says more than 95% of flooded households will qualify.

People whose homes were flooded this year are also encouraged to apply for “Phase 3 grants” for direct costs involved with the recovery and reinstatement of their homes. Application forms for these grants are available on the Foundation’s website – www.somersetcf.org.uk – and have been distributed to all Village Agents working in the flood-affected areas.

Justin Sargent, chief executive of the Somerset Community Foundation, said: “The donations that have been made so far are making a real difference, giving people the best chance to rebuild their lives and protect their livelihoods.

“The remaining funds will continue to be targeted at helping those whose homes were flooded, and we still encourage anyone who was affected to apply whenever they are ready to do so.”