SOLIHULL Council is launching a Covid Winter Grant Scheme worth more than £565,000 for food, energy and other essential items for residents in need due to the pandemic.
In all £252,000 of the Government money will go as vouchers for up to 8,400 school pupils whose families are in receipt of free school meals.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council said: “We are committed to supporting all vulnerable families over this challenging winter period.
“In particular, the e-vouchers for pupils of families who get free school meals will ensure no child goes hungry over the Christmas period.
“There is no need for anyone to apply for the vouchers as we will identify those eligible using our central database and a manual process for the small number of parents who do not have an email address.
“Further options are being developed for January to support households with their fuel top-ups, bills and managing money for the year ahead.”
The Council’s Discretionary Crisis Fund (DCF) will continue to operate alongside these other measures.
It has been in place for a number of years and provides support to residents suffering from severe financial hardship.
Support is given to access food, fuel top-ups and, if needed, essential white goods.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “In the New Year the government will announce its funding to allow local authorities to provide holiday activity and a food programmes for the Easter, Summer and Christmas holiday in 2021.
“We will deliver this working with our local voluntary and community partners to develop holiday programmes where food, positive activities and parental support can be provided.
“This will ensure that no child needs to go hungry in the school holidays, whilst providing a whole wrap-around offer of support for families.”
Anyone who wants to apply for the DCF should contact Solihull Connect on 0121 704 8100.
