Residents who are struggling with higher cost of living have until the end of the month to apply for a £100 grant from the Household Support Fund to help them.
Wokingham Borough Council and its Hardship Alliance partners are working together to get the money to residents in need across the area. Anyone struggling to pay for food, bills, energy or other everyday essentials can apply for £100.
The Government scheme has seen £842 million of additional funding has been made available to help the most vulnerable across England. Wokingham Borough has been given £1million to distribute in 2023/24.
Support is available to households who feel they are struggling with rising costs of living as well as people in receipt of benefits. The council’s Hardship Alliance partners can provide £100 per household with a food, fuel or cash voucher.
Residents can call Citizens Advice Wokingham One Front Door on 0808 278 7958, apply on Citizens Advice Wokingham website, call Age UK Berkshire on (0118) 959 4242 or email Age UK Berkshire.
The Holiday Food Voucher scheme is also funded through the Household Support Fund.
This is for families with children who receive means-tested free school meals for helping during school holidays.
They receive payments during each school holiday once they Apply on the First Days Children’s Charity website. Back payments will be made to the previous school holiday period. Thousands of families have already received support but funding is available to help anyone who is struggling.
Amy Garstang, manager at Wokingham United Charities and chair of the Hardship Alliance, said: “Winter will soon be with us and we know higher costs are impacting everyone across the area.
“If you need support now, come forward to apply for a grant. Wokingham Borough is an expensive place to live with higher housing costs so anyone struggling for essentials like food and energy should come forward.”
Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, said: “These grants have already helped thousands of residents this year and will continue to do so in the months ahead.
“With the current round due to close very soon, get your applications in now. You will still be able to apply for another grant in a few months if you need it again.”
The Hardship Alliance was formed last year and is made up of a group of four local charities, Citizens Advice Wokingham, First Days Children’s Charity, Age UK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charities, alongside Wokingham Borough Council.
Another round of Household Support Fund grants will open in October and more details will be published soon.
All the latest cost of living help and advice for the borough can be found on the cost of living help hub.
