Council Cost-of-Living Vouchers to Support Reading Households

APPLICATIONS are once again open for financial support for low-income households in Reading who may be struggling to make ends meet, as part of the Council’s new Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme for 2025/26.

Reading Council has this year received a grant of just under £2 million from Government and has designed a local HSF scheme to ensure the money reaches residents who need it most. This includes residents who may have difficulty paying for things like rising energy and water bills, food shopping, the high cost of housing or essentials like clothing.

For the purposes of the local HSF application phase, households in receipt of means tested benefits, or other related state benefits (such as a Personal Independence Payment), 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.

Residents can check on eligibility and apply online at www.reading.gov.uk/HSF

The application phase is just one part of a much wider local HSF scheme which will again see cost-of-living vouchers directly distributed to residents.

Ahead of the summer holidays, and again before Christmas,  a voucher worth £125 will be sent to Reading households who have children who are directly eligible for Pupil Premium Free School Meals, and to Reading care leavers. The Council will additionally provide support to low-income pensioner households who are not eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.  

The Council already holds details of all eligible households, so there is no need to contact the Council directly to access these vouchers.

 “While the cost of things like energy, water and food bills may not be rising as fast as they once were, they are still rising, and that presents an on-going challenge for some households in Reading. We know there are still many residents in our communities who struggle to pay for the everyday essential items which most of us would take for granted.

 “Cost-of-living vouchers will once again be distributed to low-income households before the summer holidays, and again before the Christmas period. In the meantime, I would urge residents to go to www.reading.gov.uk/HSF and check if they may be eligible for support during the application phase.”

Residents with questions about the support that Reading Borough Council is providing to people through HSF, or who want to apply for financial support, should visit www.reading.gov.uk/HSF

Residents who require additional advice or help can go to www.reading.gov.uk/money-matters