Range of support available for Telford and Wrekin families under extra financial strain due to the pandemic

The council is continuing to support families on reduced incomes and there is a range of benefits and support available.

All the support available has been grouped in one place at www.telford.gov.uk/coronavirus - I am a resident, to make it easier and quicker for everyone to check eligibility for various schemes and apply.

Council tax reduction, Test and Trace support payments, emergency welfare assistance, Job Box services and many others are among the support schemes listed.

Additionally, all the families across the borough registered for free school meals and for pre-school benefits, such as early years pupil premium or funded childcare places for two-year-olds, will receive a winter voucher worth £15 per child per week – during the two weeks Christmas holiday, to use at a range of local supermarkets.

Families will also be able to use the vouchers online at a number of shops, for example, if they need to self-isolate.

The council is encouraging families who are not registered yet for free school meals or pre-school benefits, but who might qualify now due to changes in circumstances, to apply by December 7 to ensure they can receive their winter voucher for the school holidays.

Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for co-operative communities, engagement and partnerships, said: “We know that the pandemic has seen the financial circumstances of many families change for the worse across the borough.

“Many of them will find it even more difficult while their children are at home during the Christmas holiday, due to the increased costs.

"We want to make sure families get the help they need so that their children don’t go hungry this Christmas.

“With the winter voucher, we want to help these families who usually rely on their children being fed at pre-school or school.

“If you are not registered for free school meals or pre-school benefits but you believe you might now qualify due to changed financial circumstances – please apply by December 7 on www.telford.gov.uk/FSM (free school meals) or www.telford.gov.uk/eypp (pre-school benefits) so you can receive the winter voucher support you may be entitled to.

“All families already registered for pre-school benefits or school meals support will receive their vouchers before the school holiday.

“Please help us spread the word, if you know someone who could benefit."

The winter vouchers will complement other help for families that the council will continue to fund over the Christmas holidays.

This includes free breakfast boxes containing breakfast items for five days for children on free school meals.

For more information, visit www.telford.gov.uk/coronavirus