Oldham Council secures £5.7m crisis support for residents

Oldham Council has secured £5.7 million in crisis support funding for the coming year, an increase of over £1 million from last year's Household Support Fund. The money will help thousands of local families facing financial hardship, from supermarket vouchers for children to emergency payments for those hit by unexpected bills.

From April 1st, around 21,000 children eligible for Free School Meals will receive £15 vouchers at May half-term and £50 vouchers over the summer holidays. This includes pre-school children and college-age care leavers who often miss out on such support.

The council is also launching a £1 million Crisis Payment scheme for residents facing sudden financial hardship, covering essentials like food, energy and household items. A separate £500,000 Housing Payment scheme will support those on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who are at risk of homelessness due to shortfalls in housing costs.

Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Arooj Shah, said the fund is designed to both respond to and prevent crisis. 'We know how tough things are for many residents right now, and for some, just one unexpected bill can push them into crisis,' she said. 'What makes this fund different is that it doesn't just respond to crisis, it works to prevent it.