Individuals and families experiencing hardship can apply for a grant to help with food and heating payments from the Government’s COVID winter grant scheme.
The money could also help people with essentials such as fridges and ovens, although it could not be used for expenses such as rent or to pay off debts.
The grant also covers warm clothing for pupils in schools – mainly where classroom windows are left open as part of policies to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Council is making the claims process as straightforward as possible and is working with a range of partners, including schools and the Coventry Food Network, to deliver the grants. So far, 56 local schools have applied for funding, including Longford Park Primary School, where the school received £592 to pay for zip-up hoodies.
Councillor Linda Bigham, Chair of the Council’s Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board, said: “I was delighted to hear that Longford Park Primary School have made use of the grant. We are living through such a difficult time. COVID has affected all our lives, and families are struggling financially.”
Jen Goode, Headteacher at Longford Primary School, said: “Many of our children were sat in their classroom wearing outdoor coats, gloves and hats to try and stay warm, which is simply not okay. We have put the hardship grant towards purchasing a fleece-lined, zip-up hoody for every child in the school, and it has made a big difference.
“The children were delighted to receive the tops and said that they are now warmer when in school. School staff have commented that the children are more comfortable in lessons- this is very positive.”
More details on how to apply are on the Council website at www.coventry.gov.uk/coronavirus under community support. People can also call the Council on 08085 834333, where they will receive support with making an application.
The scheme will run until 31 March 2021.
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