PENSIONERS, schoolchildren and other vulnerable households in Worcestershire will continue to get support through the extension of the Household Support Fund.
Plans for the additional £3.9million in the Household Support Fund have been endorsed by members of Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet meaning the fund will be available to support those most in need until the end of September.
£1million of the £3.9million will be used to support those eligible for free school meals.
Co-ordinated through schools, those children receiving free school meals will receive equivalent support during the first two weeks of the summer holidays.
Just over £1million will also be available as cashable vouchers for pension credit recipients and other pensioners on low incomes will be able to access support through the Worcestershire Advice Network.
Other eligible people will be able to access assistance with food and other essentials through a variety of organisations working at a local level with their district councils or help with their energy bills through Act On Energy who are delivering a programme of support measures on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.
Worcestershire County Council’s Here2Help service will be on hand to help with directing people to the support they are eligible for.
Coun Marcus Hart, cabinet member for communities said: “This funding will make a real difference to those in our community who are in need of extra support this summer.
“As household bills are rising, it can be a worrying time for families who may already be struggling. The Household Support Fund will help alleviate some of those worries and support vulnerable people this summer.”
The further £3.9million was allocated to Worcestershire by the Chancellor in the Spring Statement 2022 and will help support those who may struggle with the increase in the cost of living.
Visit the Worcestershire County Council website for more on the Household Support Fund or actonenergy.org.uk/project/worcestershire-household-support-fund for more on the Act on Energy support available.
Eligibility for pensioner support across the county through Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills can be found by calling 01905 724294 or 01684 560666
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/Here2help for more on Here2Help support across the county.
