The government has recently announced additional Winter Grant funding, to allow councils to provide support over the Easter holiday to families whose lives have become more difficult because of COVID-19 .
Cambridgeshire County Council will receive an additional £507,000, and the council aims to provide Easter food vouchers to all children and young people who meet the eligibility criteria. The cost of doing so will be around £570,000, and the gap in funding will be met from the underspend from Christmas and February half term.
If children receive Free School Meals or are over 16 years old and receiving a bursary, they will automatically receive food vouchers to cover the Easter holiday. The Council plans to automatically issue each food voucher eligible child or young person with a £30 supermarket voucher on 26 March in time for the Easter holiday.
The Council also hopes to continue the wider Winter Support Scheme through its the hub network, offering financial help with utility bills and household items relating to warmth, hygiene, and cooking.
Over 1800 families in Cambridgeshire have asked for this additional help, 80 per cent of them with an immediate and urgent need for help with food, utilities, or other essential supplies. Councils have been working together to issue emergency fuel vouchers and linking into wider support through Citizens Advice and community-based support.
The Winter Grant Scheme is available to families or young people who meet one of the following criteria:
- Funded childcare and education
- Early years pupil premium
- Care Leavers
- Educational Health and Care plans
- Young carers
Further information can be found at https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/wintersupport