Bexley will shortly be distributing funds to support families and individuals who may be facing hardship and struggling to afford food and bills over the Christmas period and into the new year.

The funds are part of the Government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme. The Council has been allocated £620,000 to help those who need it most in the borough.

During the first stage of the process, the Council will contact families with children ages from 0-5-year-olds in early years settings, who are accessing the two-year offer, as well as educational settings that are claiming early years pupil premium.

The Council will also use the funding to provide e-vouchers to all families whose children are currently on free school meals. These will be redeemable at different supermarkets in the borough and will be distributed to families up to 18 December.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE said: “Using the Covid Winter Grant Scheme we aim to help as many of our residents who need it as possible. We will use the funds initially to help those with young children, but after that, we will be using the grant to help people of all ages who need it the most. This may be through us or via one of our community partners.

“We are still finalising our plans, but I’m confident that this payment will help some of our residents who have been most affected by Covid to enjoy a more comfortable Christmas. ​Throughout the pandemic, we have supported thousands of families in need and continue to keep these measures and the help we are able to provide under constant review.”

Residents who are 10 weeks pregnant or have children under the age of four and receive income support could qualify for Healthy Start vouchers to spend on milk, fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, and infant formula milk. Healthy Start vouchers are worth £3.10 a week, double for babies under one year old. Visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers  for details

Information about help and advice available for residents is available on the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/coronavirus.  The Council’s Coronavirus helpline 020 3045 5398 can also help you access support if your existing network is unavailable because of the pandemic.

Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/news to keep up-to-date with the plans for the Covid Winter Grant Scheme or sign up to our weekly e-newsletter at www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates