More Than 5,000 Cost-of-Living Vouchers Sent to Reading Households From This Week

Cost-of-living vouchers are being sent to more than 5,000 households in Reading from this week to provide financial support through winter.

With colder weather pushing up heating bills, and ahead of the expensive Christmas period, Reading Council’s Household Support Fund (HSF) is again directing support to those households most in need.

Starting this week, cost-of-living vouchers will be sent to:

• 1,100 Reading pensioner households no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, and in receipt of support from the Council Tax Reduction scheme and / or Housing Benefit, will be sent a voucher worth £200
• 3,900 households where a child is automatically eligible for Pupil Premium Free School Meals will be sent a £125 voucher
• 260 care leavers in the town will also receive a £125 voucher

The Council already holds details of all households in Reading eligible for the vouchers, so there is no need to contact the Council to claim one.

Last month, and as part of the same scheme, the Council opened an application phase for households who face hardship this winter. Residents can apply for a one-off payment of £125, and regardless of other support received from the HSF, at https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/household-support-fund/.

The Council’s Public Health team will additionally be making use of £95,000 worth of financial support to provide additional capacity to voluntary sector organisations in Reading who help residents in need.

Reading Council’s total HSF allocation from Government for September 2024 to April 2025 is £1,130,648.

 Councillor Liz Terry, Reading Council Leader, said:

“We hope that the cost-of-living vouchers being sent to more than 5,000 Reading households this week will go some way towards easing the financial burden at what can be an expensive time of year for household budgets, with rising bills and additional costs.

“The vouchers will benefit pensioners, families and care leavers, and sits alongside additional support being provided to voluntary sector organisations in Reading who are able to reach and support residents in a variety of ways out in our communities.”

 Councillor Ellie Emberson, Lead for Corporate Services and Resources, added:  

“Aside from the thousands of vouchers being sent to households this week, we would remind residents that they may be eligible for additional support by applying online if they are facing particular hardship this winter, and regardless of whether they receive a cost-of-ling voucher through the local Household Support Fund. I’d urge anyone who finds themselves in this position to visit the Council’s webpage for more information on the scheme and how to apply, or to phone the Council where they will be advised about the support available.”

Residents are advised the time period for processing applications is currently two weeks.

For information on support available to residents locally please go to  https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/.