Thousands of hard-up households to get vouchers worth up to £350 starting in DAYS
THOUSANDS of cash-strapped households have relief on the way with vouchers valued up to £350 set to be tabled.
From June 1, South Ribble residents feeling the cost-of-living crunch can apply for support in a scheme to help with buying essentials such as energy, water and food.
The South Ribble Borough Council has launched the plan after claiming £329,741 in funding from the government’s household support fund.
Aid will be supplied in the form of vouchers, with the council expecting more than 10,000 residents to come knocking.
Support will also be geared towards broadband and phone bills, heating products that improve energy efficiency and other essentials like sanitary products, warm clothing and soap.
Costs of microwaves, small fridges and slow cookers could too be included in the helping-hand plan.
Community members facing financial hardship can also find help paying for public transport, vehicle repair and fuel.
Applicants can be awarded a limit of £300 worth of vouchers, but a concession is set to be made for single-person households which can claim an extra £50.
To be eligible, you’ll need to be a South Ribble resident and be faced with financial hardship tough enough that you can’t account for immediate needs.
Residents can apply to snare support more than once, but the second application has be made after a three-month period.
The council warns the funding is strictly for those struggling.
Evidence, like proof of income, may be required, while the council may ever send a worker out to homes to assess that household’s needs.
Residents don’t need to be on benefits to apply.
The support is slated to flow until September 15 unless the £300,000 budget is blown before then.
To qualify, households need to show their income is less than £31,000 with no more than £5,000 in savings.
Outside of that, those receiving means-tested benefits or those that have a “declaration” of issues – by either the council or social worker – may also apply.
Councillor Paul Foster said: “I am so pleased that we can approve this excellent delivery plan to help those low-income families and individuals in our communities.
“We know that many people in South Ribble are still feeling the effects of the rising cost-of-living and through the process of developing this plan, working with partners, we have identified key areas of the borough where we know our people need additional support.”
The vouchers can be activated through a platform called Huggg, which opens access to retailers including Aldi, B&Q and Argos.
Cash vouchers could also be provided “on exception”.
How the household support fund works
Councils can receive grants through the UK government’s household support scheme, which was announced in September 2021 and continues to flow.
The initial £500million fund ran from October 2021 to March 2022, but a new cycle was kickstarted straight after that deadline.
Funding rounds continue to be repeated and in its most recent spring budget, the government announced a new cycle from April through the end of September.
Councils can claim their slice of the £500million pie on each round, and it is then up to them to decide how to use it to best suit their community’s needs.