READING Borough Council is sending out further vouchers to households in Reading to support residents with the cost of living.
As part of its Household Support Fund scheme, the council is helping those receiving free school meals and care leavers with a third wave of support through vouchers.
Eligible households will be sent the vouchers, worth £115, this week and will have until April 15 to cash them at a Post Office.
It is the latest in a set of measures in the HSF scheme which aims to give support to families and vulnerable individuals struggling to pay basic living costs.
The scheme is funded up to the end of this month by Department for Work and Pensions, but it is unclear if there will be any further government support.
It also follows more than 8,100 payments to Reading households by the council, including £450 payments given to those above pension age receiving Housing Benefit, but who were ineligible for government support.
The council also invited applications from low-income households and vulnerable individuals for financial support, with 2,600 successful applications.
Cllr Jason Brock, leader of the council, said: “The cost-of-living vouchers being sent out this week are the third set sent out to households in Reading this year.
“We hope that–alongside the 8,100 payments which have already been made–the vouchers will provide some temporary respite for households who we know are continuing to struggle with basic living costs.”
He explained: “The Household Support Fund originated during the pandemic and has subsequently helped many hundreds of Reading households.
“It is of real concern that, at this stage at least, there is no real indication Government intend to extend the support beyond next month, despite lobbying which is taking place at national level.
“We can only hope that position changes as the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away, as we can testify from the increase in demand on council services.”
Cllr Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said: “For families and individuals struggling to keep up with shopping and household bills over the past year, the Council’s vouchers have proved to be a valuable source of support.
“As well as inviting applications for support for low-income households this year, the Council has designed a local scheme which now enables us to deliver a third set of vouchers to an estimated 4,000 households in Reading.
“These will begin to arrive at homes this week. I would remind residents in receipt of these vouchers that they need to be cashed by April 15th.”
She explained: “Sadly, it continues to be an extremely worrying time for these households struggling with the high cost-of-living, and the threat that this could be the final year the Household Support Fund is funded by Government will only add to those concerns.”
Residents can find advice about managing costs via: reading.gov.uk/money-matters
