Support available with the cost-of-living for Stockport residents this summer

The summer holidays are fast approaching, and while children across Stockport might be looking forward to a break from school, it can be a difficult time financially for many families.

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting many residents across the borough, and the school holidays can add extra financial pressure, with the cost of food and childcare adding to already stretched household budgets.

If you are a Stockport residents, there are lots of avenues of support available to help combat the cost-of-living this summer. The cost-of-living hub is live on the Stockport Council website, which rounds up all of the support available. Residents are advised to check this page to find out what they are entitled to, and get support for specific problems such as help getting food or support for those at risk of homelessness.

Other support avenues available include: 

• The Resident Advice and Support team has been created specifically to help signpost residents to support with the cost-of-living. From benefits advice to help applying for national schemes, the team is on-hand to help with lots of concerns around the current economic situation. They can be reached on 0161 474 2140. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
• The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme is returning for the summer holidays, offering families in receipt of income-based free school meals access to free childcare places. There are lots of providers all across Stockport for children of all ages, and they will also receive a free nutritious lunchtime meal while at the holiday club. Find out more, as well as find your local provider, on the council website.
• Family support vouchers are currently being distributed to eligible families via email and letter format. The vouchers will be worth £195, and paid in two batches, with the first voucher worth £97.50. Eligible families include those in receipt of income-based free school meals, and those in receipt of local housing benefit and/or council tax support. Read more here.
• The council is working with schools and colleges across the borough and in neighbouring authorities to deliver the Stockport Council School Meal Support scheme. The scheme will provide eligible children living in Stockport families who are in receipt of local council tax support and/or housing benefit with the opportunity to receive a paid-for school meal each day of term for the next academic year starting in September. Parents and carers of eligible children have been sent a letter to explain the scheme and how support can be requested via an online request for support form. The deadline for parents and carers to request this support is 20th Find out more about the School Meal Support scheme.
• Our great libraries service can help any residents struggling with the cost-of-living. Every library can provide sim cards to those residents who need data, and staff can signpost to Citizens Advice to help anyone get an appointment. Libraries are also a great free space to spend time, and there are lots of community events to join in, signposted on the council events calendar.
• There is lots of mental health support available in Stockport for anyone who might be struggling this summer. A great place to start is the Healthy Stockport website which rounds up the local support services available, as well as tips on the ‘5 Ways to Feel Good’.
• Working with Stockport Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has put in place qualified installers for our area to deliver whole house energy efficiency improvements funded by the Energy Company Obligation Local Authority Flexible Eligibility Scheme (ECO4 LA Flex).Find out if you’re eligible here. If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, don’t worry. Visit the Your Home Better website for help making home improvements to save energy costs.
• The council recently updated its school uniform grants scheme. If your child is of secondary school age, and is eligible for free school meals, you can apply for a voucher of £45 to cover the cost of school uniform from a clothing provider. Apply for a grant using this webpage. In addition, the Uniform Shop will be open from Saturday 12th – 19th August 2023 while stocks last and will be located in the pop-up shop in the covered mall. Further information available here.
• If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill please check the Council’s website where you can find details of the different support available to help you to pay. Find out more.

Councillor Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council, commented:

“I know that the current economic situation can be worrying for all Stockport residents, but the council is keen to help. Even if you’ve never claimed before, I’d encourage everyone to check the cost-of-living webpages to find out if you are eligible for the support schemes available. There is also specific support available for families this summer, to help everyone to make ends meet over the school holiday period.”

Councillor Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Stockport Council, added:

“The Greater Manchester Flex scheme is a great way to reduce your energy bills, while also helping to improve how environmentally friendly your home is. The scheme offers free improvements to help increase the energy-efficiency of a home, which can make a difference for years to come. In Stockport, the designated provider is ImproveEasy Limited. Make sure you take advantage of this scheme, or, if you are not eligible, check out the Your Home Better site to find out how you could make small home improvements that benefit your wallet and the planet.”