Oxfordshire County Council has unveiled a fresh £5.12 million assistance package designed to help county residents facing financial difficulties.
The initiative will enable households throughout the area to keep accessing support for groceries, heating, household necessities and money guidance via a newly established three-year cost-of-living assistance program.
The council’s cabinet is scheduled to consider approval of the initiative during its meeting next week, with financing coming from the central government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund beginning in April.
This replaces the earlier Household Support Fund and will deliver approximately £5.12 million in annual support for residents experiencing hardship.
Unlike previous programs, this allocation is secured for three years, marking a shift from universal single payments toward more focused assistance that connects urgent aid with measures aimed at building longer-term financial stability.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, commented: “Many people continue to feel the impact of cost of living challenges, and climbing fuel costs, increased food prices and growing household expenses all persist in putting pressure on residents, with those already on limited or fixed incomes often affected most severely.
Regrettably, we anticipate that additional households may face difficulties due to the continuing fuel crisis.
This new program aims to guarantee that assistance reaches those who need it most, precisely when they need it.
By transitioning from short-term, one-time funding to securing a three-year commitment, we can provide residents and local services with improved stability and predictability.
That security enables us to go beyond addressing immediate crises: we can collaborate with individuals to strengthen their financial resilience, assist them in preventing future difficulties, and confirm they are accessing all available support.
Our focus is on safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our communities and ensuring no one is left without assistance. This program represents a significant component of that commitment.”
Support for individuals facing financial emergencies remains accessible throughout the year through the Residents Support Scheme.
This service offers supermarket vouchers, credit for prepayment energy meters and necessary household items like refrigerators or beds, tailored to personal circumstances.
Alongside emergency assistance, the program will maintain funding for services that help avert future hardship.
This encompasses complimentary debt and benefits guidance, assisting roughly 6,000 individuals annually, along with support to ensure people receive all benefits they qualify for, and practical help with managing finances, housing expenses and overall financial health.
Supporting families and children continues to be a priority for Oxfordshire County Council.
Financing for the Holiday Activities and Food program will persist, offering meals and activities for qualifying children during school vacations.
The program will also keep supporting community-based assistance including community food pantries, food cooperatives, community refrigerators and the distribution of hygiene products such as toiletries and cleaning supplies.
Additional focused assistance will be accessible for individuals with specific requirements, including disabled residents, elderly people, caregivers (encompassing young carers), individuals escaping domestic abuse, migrants with particular dietary or medical needs, and patients leaving hospital who require financial support to return home safely.