Cost of living vouchers sent to more than 4,000 Reading residents

Cost of living vouchers worth £185 each have been sent to around 3,750 eligible households in Reading by the Council.

Another 261 vouchers of the same value have been sent to individual care leavers.

The payments are designed to help those people who are struggling to meet their current cost of living.

The vouchers were recently sent out to Reading households who have children who are directly eligible for Pupil Premium Free School Meals, as well as to Reading care leavers.

Recipients of the vouchers, whose details are held by the Council, have until Monday 9 September to cash them in at a Post Office.

Low-income households were also given the opportunity to apply for a one-off payment of £125 from the Household Support Fund (HSF). The Council has paid out around £210,000 to Reading residents since the scheme was introduced in May. The deadline for applications has now closed.

The Council has also provided £70,000 funding to local organisations offering cost of living support to Reading residents. This element of the HSF is being delivered by the Public Health Team.

Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said:

 “The high cost of living means that many Reading households are still struggling to pay for everyday essential items.

“The increased demand on Council services we have experienced demonstrates the difficult circumstances many households find themselves in.

“I am pleased the Household Support Fund scheme helps provide some relief for those families and vulnerable individuals.”

Cllr Ellie Emberson, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said:  

“The Reading Household Support Fund scheme has been designed to help those Reading residents in most need. I would remind recipients that they have until 9 September to cash in their vouchers at a Post Office.

“It is good to see that we have also been able to provide one-off payments totalling £210,000 to help Reading residents who need extra assistance to meet the costs of food, clothing and utility bills.”

Reading’s HSF was funded by £1,130,648 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for the period 1 April – 30 September 2024. Local authorities can use the funding allocated to them in the way they believe most suits the needs of their residents.

Residents who need any assistance with their vouchers can call the HSF helpline on 0118 937 3797 (Mon-Fri, 10am-midday & 2-4pm) or email: household.support@reading.gov.uk.

More information about Reading’s HSF scheme can be found on the Council’s website at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/household-support-fund/.