More than £1.2m to help 'vulnerable and struggling'

West Berkshire Council has been awarded £1,224,650 for its Household Support Fund

Funding of more than £1.2m will help support pensioners hit by the loss of the winter fuel payment or struggling to pay bills, a council has said.

West Berkshire Council has been awarded an extra £1,224,650 for its Household Support Fund.

It can also use the funding to help those where the existing housing support does not cover their needs.

Between April 2024 and March this year, 2,715 applications were made to the council for support - a "significant increase" on the previous year, the authority said.

For the same period during the previous year 1,781 applications were made.

A number of concerns have been reported to officers by the voluntary sector, including a demand for replacement appliances, mattresses and food by charities, West Berkshire Council said.

There has also been an increase in number of people in emergency accommodation and complex mental health issues being identified that require significant support.

Many individuals and families are struggling with day-to-day living costs, with the voluntary sector reporting ongoing high running costs due to energy, transport and wages, the authority said.

This is also set to increase due to the recently announced increase in the living wage.

Targeting assistance to pensioners has been a priority for delivery of the fund in previous schemes.

In the period April 2024 to March 2025 only 68 applications from pensioners were supported with financial assistance through the fund.

The grant will also be used to support those who are not in receipt of pension credit or other means tested benefits, the council added.