Thousands of north Oxfordshire households will receive £100 food vouchers in time for Christmas.

Last month Cherwell District Council’s executive committed to provide the support to households experiencing hardship as part of a package to address the cost-of-living crisis.

An initial fund of £250,000 has now been topped up to £354,200, meaning that the council can give vouchers to all 3,542 households who get housing benefit.

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People don’t need to apply for the vouchers, they automatically qualify if they were in receipt of housing benefit as of October 5 and will receive a letter from the council to take them through the next steps.

Councillor Phil Chapman said: “Although Oxfordshire is a prosperous county Cherwell district contains some areas where people experience real hardship.

“We can’t ignore the fact that the pressure on their budgets will only intensify as the cost-of-living increases into winter.

“I am very pleased to be taking this proactive step and hope it will make a real difference to thousands of households in time for Christmas.”

Everyone who is eligible will receive their letter, starting from the end of November, and will be able to download their vouchers immediately using the HUGGG website.

Eligible households who cannot download their vouchers online will be invited to call the council and alternative arrangements will be made.

For advice on the cost-of-living visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/CostOfLiving

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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