Cost of Living Programme
Cost of Living programme
The Council has revised its Cost of Living programme for 2024/25 following the government’s decision to extend the Household Support Fund. This has made an additional £3.3 million available for households on low incomes struggling to afford household essentials.
The Cost of Living programme includes the following areas of support to which you can refer people:
Residents Support Scheme – This is an application based scheme which can provide food vouchers, credit for pre-payment energy meters and household items (such as white goods and furniture). Further information and a link to the application portal is here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/help-rising-living-costs/residents-support-scheme
Better Housing Better Health - This project aims to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable people living in cold and damp homes, by providing practical advice and support on energy efficiency measures and financial assistance to help reduce their energy bills. A link for making referrals is here: https://www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral/
Period Poverty Pilot – Free period products are available in some OCC buildings as part of a pilot the council is conducting. Whilst they are intended for people struggling to purchase these items themselves, there are no eligibility requirements. Products are available in the following Children and Family Centres: Abingdon, Banbury, Barton, Bicester, Union Street (Oxford), Didcot, Rose Hill (Oxford) and Witney; and the following Libraries: Abingdon, Banbury, Barton, Bicester, Blackbird Leys, Botley, Cowley, Didcot, Headington, Henley, Kidlington, Littlemore, Summertown, Thame, Wantage, Oxford Westgate, Witney, Woodgreen (also in Banbury)
In addition to the above measures the Cost of Living programme also funds the provision of supermarket vouchers in the school holidays for children eligible for Free School Meals. Households receive £15 per week for each eligible child. Equivalent support is also available in early years settings. Oxfordshire County Council provides funding to schools and early years settings who then buy and distribute the vouchers.
Holiday Activities and Food programmes (HAF)
The programme provides benefits-related free school meal eligible (reception – Yr 11) children and young people with free holiday activities and food during Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. Eligible children are entitled to 4 activity sessions at Easter and Winter and 16 activity sessions over the summer school holiday.
The aims of the programme:
For children
Eat healthily over the school holidays
Be active during the school holidays
Take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of Build resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
Be safe and not to be socially isolated
Have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
Be more engaged with school and other local services
For families
To develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting
To signpost towards other relevant information and support, for example, health, employment, and education, financial support
It is hoped to increase the number of children attending programmes over the school Christmas holiday.
HAF provision is now live on a new booking site.
Providers have listed their offer in the provider website which you can find by clicking here.
Families are entitled to 4 days per child (Reception to year 11) and the eligibility criteria is to either be registered for Free School Meals (FSM) or receive benefits related to Free School Meals.
We can additionally offer a number of places to children believed to be otherwise vulnerable, so please get in touch with the HAF team if you are working with a child who you feel this would apply to.
There is a range of activities on offer ranging from sports, arts and a new activity that includes gym memberships for secondary aged children as well as a range of providers that are able to support children with special educational needs.
Schools have received the details of provision and how to book places which they have been asked to share with all their FSM families. Below are some links to help with booking provision.
https://www.loom.com/share/7dcff1c8097a4e6c8ce2a4cffb3a961f?sid=99d1f466-7e8c-4ce7-a42a-006f7d93cc3f
https://www.loom.com/share/24c21a188f024c5cac9e2650d7b8aaaa?sid=9a99a44d-32b0-4cb3-9d10-fce38a3215b3
