Families struggling with the cost of living in Liverpool can access additional support with bills this winter.
Millions of pounds have been made available to the city council through the next stage of the UK Government’s Household Support Fund which will be used to provide help with food and fuel costs for people across Liverpool. This includes households with young people, carers and care leavers, and disabled people who may require extra support with energy costs.
Eligible families with children under one, families with youngsters aged two years who are accessing free early education, and families with children entitled to free school meals will receive supermarket vouchers. The winter support vouchers will be distributed by schools to eligible children.
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School aged children are receiving £60 worth of vouchers in three waves, £15 in October, £30 this month and a further £15 in February. While these are not part of the government’s previous free school meal vouchers for school holidays, they will be distributed to coincide with school holidays.
A one off £100 voucher is being issued this month to families accessing free education for two-year-olds and eligible families with a child under one. These vouchers will be distributed by the setting the child attends.
Funding will also be used to support other families identified by children’s social care. Liverpool Carers Centre is working to ensure that vouchers reach carers across the city.
Carers, care leavers, and disabled people that are eligible for support, will be automatically contacted by the local authority and its partner agencies early in January. Those who are not contacted may be entitled to some help, subject to criteria, from Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme.
Cllr Frazer Lake, cabinet member for adults and children’s social care, said: “This is a particularly difficult winter due to the rising cost of heating, fuel and food and our staff have been working hard to identify vulnerable families. Issuing vouchers means that families can choose their own food from their regular supermarket and be confident of its quality.
“I would encourage anyone who is struggling, whether you have children or not, to contact the Liverpool Citizens Support scheme. The team will be able to advise whether you are entitled to any support for basic living expenses.”
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