Support for families in need this winter
Wednesday, 9 December 2020
We've announced a £587,000 winter support package to help families and vulnerable individuals who are struggling with the cost of food, bills and other essentials over the winter months.
The funding, which is part of a £170 million national scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions, aims to support people facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A large part of this fund will be used to help the families of more than 5,000 children in Central Bedfordshire, who are eligible to claim free school meals, with their food costs over the school holiday period. These families may also be able to receive extra support to help them with fuel bills over the winter months.
The fund will also boost our existing local welfare provision, which provides support to people over the age of 16 with food and utility expenses following an emergency or crisis.
£50,000 will be set aside to support a number of food banks over the winter, to help them keep up with the increasing demand brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Councillor Sue Clark, our Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said:
The pandemic has put financial pressures on a lot of families, and we are grateful for this extra funding to support those most in need during the cold winter months. Those who are struggling should reach out to us for support if they need it.
Plans for distributing the support are currently being developed, but we expect that families eligible for free school meals will be contacted through their children’s schools. We'll offer support to some individuals directly through our social workers, housing staff and Children’s Centre staff.