People must cash in their vouchers by January if they receive one.
Eligible households in Reading will be sent £125 vouchers to help with the cost of living (Image: Getty)
Hard-up households in Reading are set to receive a £125 voucher from the Post Office this month. The support forms part of the Household Support Fund, which is a pot of money allocated to councils by the Government. The financial boost aims to help with basic living costs, including food, energy, water and housing.
Payments will be made automatically, so there is no need to apply. In Reading, families with children who are eligible for pupil premium or free school meal support should have received a £125 voucher in the post from the Post Office, advice on the council’s website reads. Care leavers should have also received help, with some receiving vouchers from specialist teams that assist them in making the transition from care. Reading Borough Council has said previously that vouchers would be sent in July and December and need to be cashed by September and January.
Local authorities in England decide the best way to allocate their portion of the Household Support Fund.
The amount received is calculated according to the size of the local population and needs of an area.
Councils will offer their own support, which will vary from one local authority to another. Check your local authority’s website or call their office to see what’s available to you.
Eligible households in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, are being awarded £70 vouchers under the same scheme to be spent in supermarkets before Friday (December 12).
Meanwhile, vouchers worth £85 are being awarded to people of state pension age in Telford and Wrekin in Shropshire.
This year Reading received £1,992,735 to help those in need, including families on low incomes, care leavers and pensioners.
For Reading constituents, households which are in receipt of income-based benefits are eligible to apply.
For people who face financial challenges but aren’t on income-related or state benefits, Reading Borough Council will do a basic assessment of their income, “essential” outgoings and savings.
“Essential” outgoings include: rent or mortgage payments, council tax, utility bills, food, transport, clothing and childcare costs.
Application processing times depend on the number the council receives. It says help will be prioritised for the following:
- residents over state pension age
- carers
- Care Leavers
- people with disabilities
- families with children on Pupil Premium
- people living alone
- residents in unstable jobs
- large households
- people with energy inefficient homes
- households with prepayment energy meters
- private renters
- victims of crime
- veterans
- residents whose first language is not English
- residents with diverse ethnic backgrounds
Anyone with more than £2,000 in savings cannot apply.
To submit an application, you need a council tax account number. You will also need details of the following for yourself and your partner, if applicable: National Insurance number/s; Income/benefit details; essential outgoings; savings; how you plan to use the support and an explanation of the current circumstances which led you to apply.
