Submitted by Carrie Brookes on 16 Dec 2020 - 11:54am
A Winter grant fund package to help the most vulnerable during Christmas period, Feb half-term and Easter holidays has been approved by Middlesbrough Council to help support families with essential items.
The Council will issue payments totalling up to £600,000 to support parents with essential items such as food, utilities and warm clothing for their families.
More than 12,000 children living in households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction will benefit. The Council has developed the support package using the Winter Grant Fund payment from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The funding is not intended to replace free school meals. It is designed to support families over the Christmas period, February half-term and Easter holidays.
Separately, the Council is allocating £400,000 of its Covid funding to support households without children via the Financial Assistance and Advice Support Payment. The cash will be targeted at those at risk of poverty due to the pandemic, including the self-employed and those who have been furloughed.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said:
"We must do everything we can to support those who need help in their hour in need. I'm determined that Middlesbrough will become a hunger-free town and it's crucial that we help families put food on the table for their kids and keep their homes warm.
"I'm also well aware that people without children are struggling too. Covid has played havoc with lots of people's finances and I'm pleased we've been able to get these packages together."
The support was approved this month by the Council's Executive Member for Finance and Governance, Cllr Chris Hobson.
She said: "We recognise that times are hard for many people around the town and I'd like to thank officers for putting these schemes in place at short notice.
"I hope the payments will make things slightly easier over the winter months and would encourage people to check the eligibility criteria and make their applications promptly."
Almost 6,000 households across the town in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, following completion of a successful claim, will receive the Winter Grant Fund payment targeted at helping children. This scheme is now open for applications online. Find out more on the Covid Winter Grant application page. If there are multiple children in a household, a tiered approach will be used to determine the payment amount.
For example, a family with two children would receive a payment of £46.00 to cover the Christmas holidays. A family with five children would receive a payment of £80.00.
In addition to the payments, some of the most vulnerable households with children who are in contact with the Council's child social care teams, will receive food hampers.
Funding for the weekend emergency food provision delivered by Cleveland Fire Brigade has also been extended until the end of March 2021.
The Financial Assistance and Advice Support Payment is targeted at households without children and is designed to help those at risk of poverty. The £400,000 fund will be targeted at different groups and will be live in early January 2021.
Residents who will be able to make an application include:
- Self-employed people who have suffered a 50% reduction in income due to the pandemic and haven't received other Covid-19 support
- Residents who have had a change in circumstances brought about by furlough which has led to a 20% reduction in household income (based on two working adults in a household with a combined salary before furlough of £45,000 or less, OR one working adult with a salary before furlough of £25,000 or less)
- Vulnerable adults recognised as such by the Council's Adult Social Care team
- Those in receipt of Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit who are above the threshold to receive Council Tax Reduction
- Those deemed ‘borderline crisis' who fall just outside of the crisis support criteria will be provided with appropriate assistance, giving weight to their circumstances
- Finally, residents who have experienced a change in their circumstances which suggests they will struggle to cover the cost of food or utilities and are not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction
The scheme will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is reaching those residents that are most in need.
To be eligible for a grant or payment, residents must have either a Council Tax Liability or Rent Liability.
To apply for a Winter Grant Fund payment please visit the Covid Winter Grant application page. Payment will be via a text message that is redeemable at your nearest PayPoint outlet. Find your nearest PayPoint.
