Over 109,000 Hertfordshire residents supported by the Covid-19 Winter Grant Scheme

Hertfordshire County Council and local partners supported over 109,000 residents with the cost of food and essential bills between November 2020 until April 2021, as part of the Covid-19 Winter Grant Scheme.

The scheme, which focused on making sure people financially affected by the pandemic had support throughout the winter months, was funded by the government and helped support more than 96,500 households with children in Hertfordshire during the most challenging of times.

As well as providing supermarket vouchers to families entitled to free school meals during school holiday periods, support was also given to Herts Young Homeless and young adults leaving care.

The county council worked with local community and voluntary services, such as food banks and citizens advice, to get support to those residents who needed it.

Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “The pandemic has been a testing time for us all, especially for those facing financial pressures, so I am pleased we have been able to help those who have needed support with the cost of food and other essential bills over the course of the winter and beyond.

"I’d like to offer a special thank you to our nurseries, schools and colleges, HertsHelp and the many other local organisations who helped us to deliver this support directly into our communities.

“This has been a testing time for us all and we’re still not out of the woods just yet. We are working closely with our countywide partners to see how we can find longer term ways of supporting people and communities to get back on their feet.

“For right now, if you’ve been affected financially or emotionally by the pandemic, please do get in touch with HertsHelp; support is, and will always be, available to anyone who needs it Hertfordshire.”

Hertfordshire County Council is continuing to make sure that those people who need a little extra help have access to help from the current government Local Covid-19 Support Grant and a range of other local and national schemes.

Any residents who are worried about their finances, paying essential household bills or having enough food should contact HertsHelp by email: [email protected] or call: 0300 123 4044.

If you have children under 19, you may also be able to access the following support and services;

Hertfordshire Family Centre Service offer advice, health services and practical support to parents, carers, children and young people and are helping to reach out to families who could benefit from the Local Covid-19 Support Grant funding. You can call them on 0300 123 7572.

If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you could be entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers to spend on milk (including formula), fruit, vegetables and pulses (including fresh, frozen and canned).

There are over 5,000 pregnant women and young children in Hertfordshire missing out on between £221-£442 per child, per year. Check your eligibility on gov.uk/healthy-start or speak to your local Family Centre. If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you can also get free vitamins. Speak with your local Family Centre on 0300 123 7572.

To find out if you are eligible and apply for free school meals, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.