Latest news with #WindsorandMaidenheadBoroughCouncil
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Thousands of households to get £195 of free supermarket vouchers
Wakefield Council has decided to offer supermarket vouchers to households who are in receipt of Council Tax Support - see the exact eligibility criteria below Low income households living in Wakefield will receive up to £195 in supermarket vouchers this year. Wakefield Council has confirmed the eligibility criteria for the latest round of the Household Support Fund scheme. The Household Support Fund is funded by the central Government but the cash is given to local councils, who then distribute it to residents who are in need. The type of support offered is typically one-off payments, vouchers and help with bills. Wakefield Council has decided to offer supermarket vouchers to households who are in receipt of Council Tax Support. If you live in a household with someone of pension age, but you won't receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year, then you will get £195 worth of vouchers. These will be split into two instalments, starting with a £70 voucher in June, then a £125 voucher in November. If you're in a pensioner household and you will get the Winter Fuel Payment this year, you will get £140 of vouchers. You will get £70 in June, then £70 again in November. If you're a family who is claiming Council Tax Support, you should have received a £40 voucher earlier this month. The council will then pay a £50 voucher in July, and another £50 in December. All other households in receipt of Council Tax Support will get a £70 voucher in July, then another £70 in December. Here is how the support breaks down: Families in receipt of Council Tax Support - £40 (April 8 2025) Families in receipt of Council Tax Support - £50 (July 21, 2025) Families in receipt of Council Tax Support - £50 (December 15, 2025) Pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Support who still receive the Winter Fuel Payment - £70 (June 30 to July 7, 2025) Pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Support who still receive the Winter Fuel Payment - £70 (November 11 to November 13, 2025) Pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Support who no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment - £70 (June 30 to July 7, 2025 Pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Support who no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment - £125 (November 4 to November 6, 2025) All other households in receipt of Council Tax Support - £70 (July 9 to July 18, 2025 All other households in receipt of Council Tax Support £70 (December 3 to December 12, 2025) The Household Support Fund has been extended until March 31, 2026. If you're not a resident of Wakefield, it is worth contacting your local council to find out what help is available. For example, Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is handing out £150 cost of living payments to residents who are over 18 and facing financial hardship. The council is encouraging people to contact Citizens Advice East Berkshire if you think you may be eligible by calling 0808 278 7914. You can also attend their drop-in service on Marlow Road, Maidenhead between 10am and midday on Mondays and Wednesdays. Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is also providing food vouchers to families who are eligible for free school meals. These will be issued automatically. Councillor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services said: 'The Household Support Fund offers a lifeline for residents facing financial difficulties, including a one-off payment that can be used flexibly to have the greatest impact in their unique situation. 'The fund is just one of the ways that residents can access practical and financial help and advice across the borough, including one-to-one support to manage debt and identify additional sources of income, help to pay council tax and free skills training. 'I encourage anyone who is struggling financially to please reach out early so that we can connect you with local support.'
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Cost of living payment worth £150 available to households
The money is available through the Household Support Fund, which is a pot of cash that is distributed to vulnerable and low income residents through local councils Struggling households are being urged to check if they're eligible for a new round of £150 cost of living payments. The money is being issued by Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme. The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash that is distributed to vulnerable and low income residents through local councils. It is down to each local authority to decide what type of help households are offered - some of the most common support available includes one-off payments and supermarket and energy vouchers. Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is offering one-off cost of living payments of £150 to residents who are over 18 and facing financial hardship. The council is encouraging people to contact Citizens Advice East Berkshire if you think you may be eligible by calling 0808 278 7914. You can also attend their drop-in service on Marlow Road, Maidenhead between 10am and midday on Mondays and Wednesdays. Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council is also providing food vouchers to families who are eligible for free school meals. These will be issued automatically. Councillor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services said: 'The Household Support Fund offers a lifeline for residents facing financial difficulties, including a one-off payment that can be used flexibly to have the greatest impact in their unique situation. 'The fund is just one of the ways that residents can access practical and financial help and advice across the borough, including one-to-one support to manage debt and identify additional sources of income, help to pay council tax and free skills training. I encourage anyone who is struggling financially to please reach out early so that we can connect you with local support.' The Household Support Fund has been extended until March 31, 2026. If you're not a resident of Windsor and Maidenhead, it is worth contacting your local council to find out what help is available. For example, Birmingham City Council is issuing grants of up to £200 to eligible households who are currently facing financial hardship, with applications set to reopen in June 2025. If you have already completed the enquiry form, then you will be on the waiting list and will be contacted within the next six to eight weeks to complete your full application. But completing the enquiry form does not mean that you are definitely entitled to receive a payment - your eligibility will still be checked. A message on the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council website reads: "Please be advised that enquiries will reopen in June 2025. If you are not currently on the waiting list, and it has now been 12 months since your household last received a grant payment, you will be able to submit a new enquiry once the scheme reopens in June 2025." Further details on the website reads: "Please be advised that each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12-month period. e.g. If you received a £200 payment on 28th February 2024, you cannot make another application until 1st March 2025. Any enquiry submitted before your eligibility date will be rejected. "The application system actively monitors submitted applications looking for signs of fraud and details of any attempts to make fraudulent applications and/or fraudulently receive grant funding may be shared with West Midlands Police. Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact on any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to."
