NEW £250 Cost of Living payments announced for UK households

UK households are set to be handed free £250 Cost of Living payments in a major cash boost. Rotherham Council is set to utilise a £2.5m government grant from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) and new Labour Party government.

An additional £1.1 million will be directed towards aiding households struggling with energy costs, offering grants of up to £250 per household. This comes on the heels of a similar successful scheme earlier this year and is projected to assist up to 4,622 families.

The funds will also be used to help approximately 15,000 local households with their council tax via a £150,000 boost to the council tax support scheme. Other allocations include £45,000 to aid care leavers, and £60,000 for voluntary and community groups to support vulnerable families over the festive season.

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An extra £50,000 will be utilised to provide essential household items, such as cleaning and hygiene products, through services like food banks and social supermarkets. The council has also earmarked funds to accommodate any fluctuations in demand, with any unspent funds being redirected towards energy crisis support.

Rotherham's Cabinet is anticipated to approve the funding and ensure it is fully expended by March 2025. Vouchers will be provided to children eligible for free school meals to cover school holidays through to October half term. Vouchers are for £15 each week and are distributed by the schools.

All eligible in receipt of free school meals will receive the vouchers. There is no need to apply. The Council is topping up the Local Council Tax Support Scheme to provide that the lowest income households in receipt of Local Council Tax Support will not have to pay the minimum payment of Council Tax in 2024/25.

Households receiving Local Council Tax Support will be awarded the extra support automatically and do not need to make an additional application.