Families most in need to benefit from additional food and fuel support

The Winter Grant Scheme has been extended meaning that households in Hull that are most in need will benefit from further food and fuel support.

Families in Hull that live in an area of extreme fuel poverty and are medically vulnerable, are set to receive £50 towards the cost of energy, and families of children entitled to free school meals will continue to receive these through the summer half-term in May.

Over 7000 households will be contacted by Hull City Council over the next week regarding the fuel money, and those households are urged to reply by 31 March. Households contacted by the council must reply by midnight on 31 March in order to claim the £50.

Over 12,000 families will benefit from the free school meal money across the summer half-term. This follows the announcement that those receiving free school meals will receive food vouchers across the Easter holidays.

Councillor Peter Clark, Portfolio Holder for learning, skills and safeguarding communities said: “This Winter Grant Scheme helps to relieve the pressure on families most in need, with the challenge of choosing between keeping warm and having food to eat. I hope this provides some peace of mind to families who need it the most.”

People who live in an area of severe fuel poverty and are considered to be medically extremely vulnerable, and so may be consuming additional gas or electricity whilst remaining home to shield, or households where someone is registered as having priority needs in relation to energy and warmth are to expect a letter and/ or email regarding the Winter Grant money this week.

The Winter Grant Scheme was established by the Department of Work and Pensions to provide funding between December 2020 and March 2021, and this has now been extended into April this year.

The Deep in Hull.
The University of Hull