Senior councillors at Wakefield Council are meeting next week are set to agree additional support for residents experiencing financial difficulties, including supermarket vouchers over the winter months.
At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (11 October) councillors will be asked to give their approval to receiving the Government’s £3.125m Household Support Funding and hear plans on how to allocate it.
The grant is to help vulnerable households in the most need to pay for essential items such as food, energy, and water bills between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.
The Household Support Funding enables local councils to provide targeted support to some residents and allows for other residents experiencing financial hardship to receive assistance.
Councillors are being asked to approve a plan that would support:
- Families with children who are receiving Council Tax Support – to receive a £100 supermarket voucher in time for Christmas.
- Pensioners who are receiving Council Tax Support, to receive a £100 supermarket voucher in January, when energy bills are at their highest.
- Residents receiving disability benefits who are receiving Council Tax Support, to receive a £100 supermarket voucher in January.
- Energy debt and Energy Bills: To allocate £150,000 to help residents in energy debt.
- Local Welfare Provision (LWP): To allocate £300,000 for essential household welfare items, such as bed and carpets.
- Food Aid Network: To allocate £50,000 for food banks and community pantries in the district to help them meet increasing demand over the coming months.
Cllr Maureen Cummings, Cabinet member for Communities, Poverty and Health, said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for many individuals and families across the district with the cost of living going up, and with many people especially worried about the cost of energy.
“We are committed to doing everything we can with the resources we have to support residents and including the help services that we offer.
“We can offer support to those in debt, or struggling to pay rent or Council Tax, as well as support to claim Universal Credit or other benefits you may be entitled to through our More Money in Your Pocket scheme. Find out more at www.wakefield.gov.uk/more-money-in-my-pocket
“Support is also available at our Help at the Hub service. It puts people in touch with a range of organisations such as food banks, access to financial support and Citizens Advice (CAB). It can also help those worried about money, jobs, housing, or health.”
Cabinet meets on Tuesday 12 October at 10.30am. The meeting can be watched live or later on the Council’s website.