READING Borough Council is sending out the latest wave of cost of living support vouchers to citizens as people struggle to cover bills.
The vouchers are aimed at helping households towards essentials like energy and water bills, housing costs, and food shopping as part of the council’s Housing Support Fund.
A £125 cost of living voucher will this week be sent to just under 4,000 households in the town, made up of families who have a child eligible for Pupil Premium Free School Meals, and around 240 Reading care leavers.
The council already holds details of all eligible households, so there is no need to contact the Council directly to access these vouchers.
Households who receive the voucher have until September 28 to cash it in at their local post office.
The vouchers will be the first of two cost of living vouchers that will be sent out by the Council as part of this year’s HSF scheme–a second £125 voucher to be sent out to Pupil Premium households and care leavers just before the Christmas period.
For the purposes of the local application phase, households in receipt of means tested benefits, or other related state benefits (such as a PIP) are automatically assumed to have a low income.
A £100 payment will be provided to households who fall into a number of categories.
Residents who do not receive income-based or state benefits, but who nevertheless are also facing cost of living challenges, will be eligible for a basic assessment of household income, essential outgoings, and savings as part of their application.
The council will then determine if support can be provided.
As part of this year’s HSF scheme, Reading Council has additionally provided £75,000 to local voluntary and community groups who help residents with direct cost of living support.
Including support for paying for school uniforms, food, and activities to tackle social isolation for older residents.
Councillor Liz Terry, Reading Council Leader, said: “We hope the vouchers will go some way to easing the burden for households in our town who we know continue to struggle to make ends meet and pay for everyday essentials.
“The Council has received almost £2 million from Government as part of this year’s HSF scheme in Reading and the vouchers are one part of a wider initiative which includes an application phase where residents, regardless of whether they have received a cost of living voucher or not, can apply for support if they are a low income household and are facing cost of living challenges.
“I’d urge residents to visit the Council’s website to check if they may be eligible for this funding, which has already benefitted an additional 1,400 households in Reading this year.”
Full details are available via: reading.gov.uk
