As part of the £170m Winter Grant Scheme, the government has awarded £2.7m in extra funding to Norfolk County Council, to support vulnerable families and prevent hunger.
The funding is for families struggling to afford food and essentials over the Christmas and New Year period. This will prevent children from going hungry this winter, and ensure families get the help they need. It builds on the £63m already provided to councils this year to assist those struggling to buy food and essentials.
To support people during this challenging time, the Conservative government has invested more than £280 billion to protect people's jobs and incomes during the furlough scheme, grants for the self-employed and other support for business, and a £7.4bn injection to strengthen the welfare safety net this year.
Commenting, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said:
No child should have to worry about food or warmth this winter. We have worked with councils across England to ensure the £170m Winter Grant delivers well-targeted support as quickly as possible, primarily focusing on heating and eating for disadvantaged families with children.
The grants are focused on helping families to buy essentials, with at least 80% of funds ring-fenced to be spent on food, energy, and water bills, with 20% available for other associated essential costs. Councils can also offer support to vulnerable individuals and households without children.
Those in need of support should contact Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020. You can find more information at www.norfolk.gov.uk/covidwintersupport.
