Applications are open for people to receive cost of living support in Reading as more than £1 million has been distributed by the government.

Reading Borough Council has been given £1,130,648  to distribute to people struggling with the cost of living.

Each recipient will receive £125.

For some, the payment will be made automatically.

That applies to people who receive means tested benefits, or other related state benefits (such as a Personal Independence Payment).

Meanwhile, the council has opened applications for other eligible people in need.

Support will be prioritised for people in one or more of the following categories:

  • Pensioners
  • Carers
  • Care leavers
  • Disabled people
  • Families with children receiving Pupil Premium
  • People living alone
  • Residents with unsecure employment
  • Large households
  • People with energy inefficient homes
  • Households with prepaid energy meters
  • Residents in private rented accommodation
  • Victims of crime
  • Veterans
  • Residents with English as a second language
  • Residents with ethnically diverse heritage

You can apply on the council's website here, with the process likely to run until the end of July.

The money has been provided by the government as part of the Household Support Fund.

Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) lead councillor for resources, said: “We know that the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away, and certainly locally many households are continuing to struggle with increased costs which are still rising, whether that is food shopping or energy bills.

We hope that this support will go some way to providing some temporary respite for households.”