This is funded by the Government to help vulnerable households. The Council has received a number of allocations as outlined below:-
Each Council decides how it should be spent in their area to help residents with the rising costs of food, essential items and energy.
In Knowsley, it will be used to:
- Provide vouchers for households who receive Free School Meals. Vouchers are issued automatically to eligible households;
- Support Knowsley Foodbank to provide food and essential items. Residents can be referred to the Foodbank from organisations across the borough or can self-refer by calling Knowsley Food Support on 0151 538 8243. View a list of their distribution centres;
- Bolster funding to community groups and organisations who can ensure the support they provide is aligned to local needs;
- Ensure needs identified through engagement with Adult and Children’s Social Care can be supported.
The latest funding allocated for April 2023 through to March 2024 will also include allocations to Knowsley Carers Centre and Knowsley Disability Concern to co-produce a support package that is aligned to the needs of residents.
Residents can apply directly to local organisations for help with the cost-of-living crisis. Applications can be made to:
Halewood – Torrington Drive Community Association
Huyton – Incredible Edibles, HIYA, Mosscroft Community Centre, Swanside Community Centre
Kirkby – Centre 63, Southdene Community Centre
Prescot – Al’s Arc, Prescot Community Church and Friends of Eaton Street Park (FOESP)
Stockbridge Village – Community Hub
Borough-wide sites – Knowsley Foodbank, Flourish and Succeed.
- As part of the Council's work with the Fuel Bank Foundation, in some circumstances, local organisations can issue residents with fuel vouchers for prepayment meters. All these Fuel Bank partners offer residents tailored support with their finances and a voucher may be issued as part of this. Fuel vouchers will only be issued once eligibility and need have been determined, as part of a package of support. They are available from:
Halewood – Torrington Drive Community Association
Huyton – Homestart, Enterprise Credit Union
Kirkby – Centre 63
Prescot – Prescot Advice
Borough-wide sites – Knowsley Foodbank, Citizens Advice Knowsley, Flourish and Succeed.
Advice and support with the cost of energy is also available from Citizens Advice Knowsley. Residents can contact Citizens Advice Knowsley by emailing [email protected], calling 0808 278 7839 or visiting the Citizens Advice Knowsley website.
Further cost of living advice and support can be found at www.knowsleynews.co.uk/cost-of-living-support
In addition, information and support is also available on the Government’s Cost of Living Hub - www.gov.uk/cost-of-living