Low Income Households May Be Eligible for Council Financial Support – Applications Open

READING residents on low incomes who may be struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis may be eligible to apply for financial support from the Council.

As part of the Council’s Household Support Fund scheme this year, any Reading borough resident can now apply for support. Prioritisation is being given to low-income households who are struggling financially and who are at higher risk of falling into crisis.

For the purposes of the scheme, low-income households at risk are defined as households in receipt of low-income benefits, or other related state benefits (such as a Personal Independence Payment), and residents who are not in receipt of any income-based or other state benefits but have specific circumstances which have negatively impacted their overall cost of living, such as an unexpected or increased expenditure.

To apply, residents can go to Click here to access the online portal to apply for financial support from the Household Support Fund where they can also find details on the information required, on the groups of residents being prioritised and information on the type of support they may be eligible for, as well as on the wider support being provided by the Council and its partners.  

There will be two opportunities for residents to apply to the Council for this support. The deadline for the first phase of applications is the end of November, with a second phase set to be launched in December and closing at the end of March 2024.

Households whose applications are successful will receive an initial payment of £125, although this figure may change depending on the take-up of the scheme.

Details of the Council’s scheme have additionally been shared with a broad range of local voluntary and community organisations, in case they are approached directly by residents for support. Help is also available for any residents who may struggle to make an online application.

 Reading Council Leader, Councillor Jason Brock, said:

“The cost-of-living crisis is ongoing and continues to have the greatest effect on the very people who can least afford it. As we approach winter, costs like heating, energy and food bills can go up, and people can find themselves in financial trouble.

 “The Council has designed a targeted local scheme for Reading which seeks to help residents who, for a variety of reasons, may be struggling. I’d urge residents to take some time to check the Council’s website as they may be eligible for support, and to refer back to it over the coming months should their personal circumstances change.”

Councillor Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, added:

 “This application element is the latest phase of a comprehensive package of support for residents who we know are struggling in the face of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis which shows no signs of slowing. We know there are people in our communities who will again struggle to cope with paying for heating and for food this winter. We also know that for very many others a small change in their personal circumstances, or an unexpected cost out of the blue, can put them in real difficulty.

“While the Council is limited in just how many people we can support, we hope our local scheme reaches those who are experiencing financial challenges and will help provide a small element of respite for people who need the most help.”

The Council’s Household Support Fund scheme runs until the end of March 2024. Earlier this year a £125 payment was sent to the estimated 3,888 families across Reading who receive Pupil Premium free school meals, and to an estimated 236 care leavers. A second voucher will be sent out to eligible families in December.

A one-off payment of £450 will also be made to the estimated 909 older people, above pension age and in receipt of Housing Benefit, who do not receive the direct Government support provided to recipients of other DWP benefits. Eligible residents should receive this payment directly into their bank accounts in October.