West Lothian Council has allocated £1 million to helping marginalised residents in the next year.
The funds were decided upon at a Council Executive and will be used to support individuals, families and communities.
This includes £639,000 for financial hardship interventions and £413,000 of council resources.
The majority of the £1 million will be spent on winter clothing payable for every child in receipt of school clothing grant as at December 31.
Parents and guardians will receive the additional payment in their bank accounts in January 2021.
A further £50,000 will be allocated to all schools for a clothing and equipment fund to support households on low income with footwear and equipment and this is based on the needs of individual pupils.
And £28,000 will be allocated to support low income households in danger of disconnection due to fuel arrears with a utility provider.
Support will be provided by the Anti-Poverty Service energy advisors.
Added to that £250,000 will be used to provide job support and training grants over the next two years and a further £100,000 will be used to support a new Mental Health Providers Network to support local people.
Leader of West Lothian Council, Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, said: “Significant resources have, and continue to be, channelled through councils to support businesses and the self-employed, with West Lothian Council facilitating payments of nearly £29.4 million, to date. The £1m of remaining funding will go a long way to help local people.
“Clearly this pandemic has, and continues to have, a significant impact on the economy and the lives of local people and we will do all we can to help those in need.”
