Income boost given to Telford & Wrekin families under strain

A range of schemes have been set up including the roll out of vouchers to help families on low income to meet their costs during next month's half-term holiday.

Residents are being urged to view the council website's 'I am a resident section' to keep abreast of information about the benefits and help available.

All borough families registered for free school meals, early years pupil premium and funded childcare places for two-year-olds, and those as leaving care will receive from the one voucher prior to the February half-term break to help with food costs and winter bills.

The vouchers will be for local supermarkets and its total value is determined by the number of children on the above benefits at a rate of £15 per child and an additional one-off £35 support.

For example,a family with two children on free school meals will receive from the Council one voucher totalling £65.

Families who are not registered yet for free school meals or pre-school benefits but who might qualify now due to changes in circumstances should apply for a voucher by February 1.

Learning

Telford & Wrekin's cabinet member for co-operative communities, engagement and partnerships Councillor Paul Watling aid: “We are now offering an increased support to families in need whose circumstances might have changed for the worse due to the new lockdown in force.

“Many of them are finding it difficult with children at home, due to the increased costs, for instance with heating.

“We want to help these families as much as we can – so, compared to the winter holiday, we are increasing the voucher value covering their food costs during February half-term, in the hope that this will free up their budget for other costs arising.

“If you are already on pre-school benefits or school meals support, you don’t need to do anything to apply – you will receive one voucher for your household directly from our Council, prior to the February half-term holiday."

He said over the Christmas break the council helped more than 8,200 children and hoped to help many more during the one-week school break.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education and Lifelong Learning said: “We would like to encourage parents and carers to apply for free school meals or Early Years Pupil Premium, if they are entitled to and have not done so yet.

“In addition to the benefits that this brings to school aged pupils in terms of school lunch provision, every application of this kind means extra-funding to schools and pre-schools settings that they will use to support the children’s learning.”