By Shantelle Gondo
Leicester City Council is trying to make a difference for households struggling this winter during the pandemic, by establishing the Covid Winter grant.
The ongoing national scheme was established on December 2 and ends on March 31. It aims to give financial support to households who are struggling over the winter during the pandemic.
The scheme covers food costs, energy bills, water bills and other essentials, but only for those eligible.
As part of the scheme, those eligible must be a resident of Leicester with affected household finances due to Covid-19 and can only be referred by one of the Leicester City Council partner organisations. You are eligible if you have:
- been furloughed and your income has been reduced
- been made redundant
- had working hours cut
- had to self-isolate and had a test and trace support payment declined.
An adult gets up to £42 a week towards food, fuel and water/sewage and a family of four will get up to £145 a week, for up to four weeks. It also involves a one-off payment to help with keeping warm, providing coats, duvets, and blankets.
The city council warned if any false declaration or statements to circumstances are provided, it may be an offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
To find out if you are eligible and for more information, email C19support@leicester.gov.uk or visit https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus/coronavirus-support-for-residents/covid-winter-grant/
