The Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme helps the most vulnerable residents at times of unavoidable crisis.
It provides basic and essential help for food and energy. This is provided either in emergency food parcels or with credit for energy. It is not a cash benefit.
The Scheme also provides help to those whose needs are more long term, who are vulnerable through an ongoing set of circumstances rather than an immediate crisis. This includes people that are care leavers, victims of domestic violence, former armed forces personnel, or those resettling in a community after a custodial term. Help might take the form of help in furnishing accommodation with basic furniture and appliances.
The Local Welfare Scheme will also signpost customers in the direction of other agencies and organisations who can offer help and support.
We also recognise that some families eligible for free school meals, struggle financially and have difficulty covering the period when their children are off school during the school holidays. This Scheme is therefore an opportunity to reach and help those most in need by supporting families with the cost of food for their children over the school holiday period, the Scheme will therefore provide support over the Easter half term, applications for support will be taken fromWednesday 28th March to Friday 13th April.
The eligibility criterion for this offer over the summer holidays is that parents are currently registered for free school meals (not universal FSM).
All partners are being asked to identify any parents who meet the eligibility criteria and refer them to the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme.
The telephone contact number is 0800 408 1448 or 01926 359182. Applications can be made by yourself or the customer. When calling, please make reference to the eligibility for free school meals and explain how the customer is struggling financially. If you are asking the customer to call and apply themselves, could you please ask that they also provide the above information.
In the meantime, if you have any questions on any of the above please contact Paula on 01926 350863 or 07917 791750 Email: paulathompson@warwickshire.gov.uk