Families in Leicestershire struggling to pay their food and utility bills are said to receive additional aid from the government through the disbursement of £ 2.5 million.
The Covid Local Support Grant, first introduced by the government in December 2020, has been extended to September to align with the end date for vacation and other Covid-related assistance.
The program includes family grocery vouchers and heating bills to cover bills over the winter months, with the extension meaning £ 2,695,433 to be spent on families in Leicester City and beyond.
Of this, £ 1,319,280 will go to families in the city, while families in Leicestershire will receive £ 1,376,153 through September.
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
In total, more than £ 7 million has been spent helping vulnerable families in need of Covid assistance, a total of £ 7,228,814.60.
Families who need assistance during this time should contact their community councils for information.
Welfare Minister Will Quince said: “This grant ensures that thousands of families can get help with groceries and critical utility bills as we get back to normal.
“The new funding will expand that lifeline to include those most in need in the coming months as we continue to help families get back on their feet, including helping people get back to work through our billion pound plan for jobs.”
Almost 6.3 million payments were made to households at risk in England between December 2020 and mid-April.
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Across England, 92 percent of the funding went to families with children, and 94 percent of the funding was used to support households with food or utility bills.
The Covid Local Support Grant is on top of the £ 220 million Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program that was rolled out across England during the major school holidays in 2021, including this summer.
HAF will provide healthy meals and enriching activities to disadvantaged children across the country.