GRANTS will be offered to around 95 per cent of Somerset households that have been flooded as the recovery efforts continue.

The Somerset Community Foundation will be contacting eligible households over the next few days and believes that almost all flooded households will qualify.

Households that have an income of £3,000 or less per month after accommodation costs and council tax are eligible for the additional grant of £500.

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.

Applications for Phase 3 grants are available on the Foundation’s website 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.”

Somerset Community Foundation established the Somerset Flood Relief Fund in January to support households, farmers, businesses and community groups as they cope with impact and aftermath of the floods.

With this final round of grants, £1.3m has been distributed or committed for Phase 3 grants to households.