Changes to the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme will allow Stirling Council to help more residents, its Community Planning and Regeneration Committee is due to hear today.

As a result of the changes, which include additional funding, the Council hopes to offer greater assistance to anyone affected by the under-occupancy charge.

To date, a total of £418,500 is allocated to 903 claimants.

The local authority has said notification of the budget provision for 2014/2015 is expected in January 2014.

Committee Vice Convener Martin Earl said: "In previous years, Stirling has had around 100 claimants in receipt of DHP at any one time. However we've already received over 900 applications this year because of changes to housing benefit for tenants in social housing.

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"We expect demand to further increase as we continue to identify tenants who are under-occupying and not receiving DHP.

"The changes to the DHP scheme mean the Council has the ability to provided much needed financial aid to residents who are struggling in these difficult economic times. I'm sure that will be widely welcomed."

On Thursday, the Committee will also hear that Stirling Council has taken over responsibility for managing emergency financial assistance, following the introduction of the new Scottish Welfare Fund. The Fund is made up of contributions from both the UK and Scottish Governments, and Stirling Council has been allocated a budget of £516,564 for 2013/2014, with £379,733 for community care grants and £136,831 allocated for crisis grants.

The community care grants will help people to live independently, while crisis grants are to be used to give money to people in emergency situations.

The Fund is being established on an interim basis for two tears, before being made permanent in 2015.

Councillor Earl added: "So far, the Council has paid out over £122,000 in crisis grants and community care grants. However new Scottish Government guidance means we can now support groups that were previously ineligible."

(JP/CD)