Cost of living support and advice for residents

A comprehensive package of advice and cost of living support has again been put in place for families and households in the town who may be struggling financially.

Where to get help

Reading has four new family hubs where families can get free advice and support. They are in Whitley, Ranikhet, Sun Street and Southcote. You can go there for help with things like housing, speech and language support, and activities for young children. They also offer emotional support for new parents and help for teenagers.

The council also runs four community centres — in Whitley Wood, Hexham Road, Coley Park and Lyndhurst Road — where anyone can go for advice and support.

Voluntary and community sector

Reading is also home to an incredible and well-established voluntary and community sector and we regularly makes full use of these groups and organisations to reach residents who may be struggling financially. Through its Closing the Gap initiative, we already provide £1.4 million of financial support to the sector, including £274,000 a year for Cost of Living and Debt Advice services from Citizens Advice Reading. Citizens Advice offer residents advice on the support that is available to them.

Crisis Resilience Fund

Reading Borough Council is receiving £2,335,271 from the government's Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF), which replaces the old Household Support Fund. Rather than issuing blanket vouchers, the money will be targeted at those most in need, with plans to invest in food pantries, a community banking scheme, and extra support for low-income pensioners and domestic abuse victims.

Residents in financial difficulty can apply for two new schemes: a Crisis Payment for essentials like food, clothing and bills, and a Housing Payment for short-term help with rent or accommodation costs. Those on Council Tax Support can also apply for help to avoid falling behind on payments.

Apply for financial help

The council has two new schemes you can apply for:

• Crisis Payment — to help pay for things like food, clothing, bills or travel
• Housing Payment — to help with rent or housing costs so you can stay in your home

If you get Council Tax Support, you can also apply for help so you do not fall behind on your Council Tax.

How to apply

Apply for the Crisis Resilience Fund online or by phone or in person at the Civic Centre.

Councillor Liz Terry, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:

“Higher living costs affect all of us, but for families and households who struggle financially the consequences can be serious which is why the Council’s priority is to ensure residents know about all the help and support which is available to them this year.

 “That support can take the form of direct financial help through the Council’s Crisis Payment or Housing Payment schemes which residents can now apply for online, making full use of our four brand new Family Hubs in Whitley, Ranikhet, Sun Street and Southcote, which include a wealth of advice, support and activities for parents and young children, in addition to the help and support on hand at our existing Community Centres at Whitley Wood, Hexham Road, Coley Park and Lyndhurst.

 “The Council also makes full use of the town’s incredible community and voluntary sector by additionally funding a wide variety of local initiatives, as well as funding Citizens Advice Reading to help residents access the support available to them. As part of the Government’s new CRF scheme we are proposing to increase the number of food pantries out in our communities, as well as new local initiatives such as community banking schemes, and help for low-income pensioners or victims of domestic abuse.

 “There is a comprehensive package of support in Reading for families and households who may be struggling to make ends meet and the Council is determined to do all it can to ensure residents know about and take advantage of the help on offer.”