Residents struggling to meet basic living costs will continue to benefit from Oxfordshire County Council’s cost of living support, with a new package of measures for 2024/25 proposed for approval by the council’s cabinet on 14 May.
Following an allocation of £3,361,256 from the government’s Household Support Fund, the council can provide support for the next six months.
This funding is the fifth round of assistance provided by the government’s Household Support Fund to support vulnerable residents. All funding must be spent by 30 September 2024.
The programme will provide support to the following groups:
Children and young people in early years settings, schools and colleges will continue to receive free school meal equivalent support ahead of school holiday periods.
City and district councils will receive additional funding for locally targeted support as in the previous year.
The Residents Support Scheme funding will stay at the same level as 2023/24, ensuring anyone experiencing a financial crisis can get assistance with basic household costs.
The Residents’ Support Scheme was launched back in June 2023 and helps residents with one-off short-term basic living costs such as food, credit for gas/electric prepayment meters and essential household items. During the first 10 months of the scheme, 5,238 applications were received, with 3,620 of those resulting in an award being made.
Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: “While the rate of inflation has reduced a great deal, the impact is still being felt by many, especially low-income households with many costs remaining very high.
“This is why it’s so important that this funding from the government’s Household Support Fund means we can carry on providing support to those who need it the most for the next six months.”
Residents can learn more about help available during the cost of living crisis at Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated help page.
