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Voucher scheme offers lifeline for those struggling paying winter bills
09/11/2021
Food, energy, water bills, clothing and replacement or repairs for white goods are amongst the items for which help is available
Families struggling with the cost of food and energy, water bills and the price of clothing have been offered a lifeline thanks to a new voucher scheme.
The programme has been set up by Cherwell District Council and will be administered by Citizens Advice. It will help to pay for not only vulnerable households’ food, energy, and water bills, but also other costs such as clothing and replacement or repairs for white goods. Essential transport costs can also be covered.
The funds are awarded based on a household’s specific situation and needs regardless of whether they are currently in receipt of benefits. Vouchers will be made available to anyone who is eligible using Huggg, a secure and simple smartphone app.
The funding for the voucher scheme has come from part of a £3.4 million package of support allocated to Oxfordshire County Council from the Household Support Fund.
Councillor Andrew McHugh, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “For people on benefits and others whose income has been affected by the pandemic, this may be a tough winter.
“We have responded quickly to the call to distribute this funding and set up the new voucher scheme. I am pleased for the additional security and reassurance that it will provide to vulnerable households in Banbury, Bicester and the north Oxfordshire villages.”
Anyone who believes they will need this support is invited to contact Citizens Advice North Oxfordshire and South Northants (CANOSN). People can call the CANOSN Household Support Fund helpline on 0300 303 0993. They should leave their details in a voicemail and wait for a call back to be assessed.
Further support for children and young people eligible for free school meals is being administered by Oxfordshire County Council using cash from the same fund.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam