Rotherham Council’s Cabinet have announced it will further support Rotherham residents suffering as a result of the cost of living crisis as part of a £2.4 million package.

The agreed measures which will be put in place, outlined by Rotherham Council, include extensions to free school meals voucher scheme and the prolonging of aid for energy bills.

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The list of areas in which the funding has been granted include:

  • £899k to continue to fund free school meals vouchers during the school holidays for eligible children, which will continue until Easter next year
  • £1.4m to expand the Council’s Energy Crisis Support Scheme
  • £45k allocation to support care leavers
  • £30k to support local voluntary organisations to support an estimated 300 vulnerable families over Christmas and New Year
  • £90k to supplement crisis food parcels provided by local food banks
  • £25k to provide additional non-food products for inclusion in crisis food parcels, such as personal hygiene, sanitary and household products.

It is reported that 1,000 households have already received payments up to £250 through the Council Energy Crisis Support Scheme, following the raised cost of living which has left millions of households across the nation struggling to make ends meet.

Due to the extended package from the Council, anyone eligible for support can receive a one-off payment of up to £400, with households who benefitted from the previous initiative now being eligible to re-apply.

Rotherham Council’s Leader, Councillor Chris Read, said: “The current situation is having a monumental effect on residents in Rotherham.

“That’s why we have moved quickly to ensure this grant funding finds its way to residents who need it most. There are a wide range of services and advice on the Rotherham Council website so if you do have concerns or worries, go to www.rotherham.gov.uk to see how we can help.”

The funding will enable over 12,000 children to receive school meals in the Christmas and Easter holidays to support parents affected by the crisis, with the October half-term holiday already covered by the previous Household Support Fund.

Care leavers such as young people leaving foster care or independently living following leaving care, will also continue to receive financial support to enable them to live independently.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Victoria Cusworth, added: “I am pleased that Cabinet have agreed these funding streams to support families and individuals.

"It is my belief, as well as the Council’s, that no child should be made to go hungry due to the cost-of-living crisis. If your circumstances do change, please see if your children are eligible for free school meals by going to the Rotherham Council website .”

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