Help for families and vulnerable people extended

Support is still on offer for families who need help with bills and repairs during the pandemic.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been able to extend the Covid Winter Grant Scheme – to support families and children and other vulnerable adults through the winter and spring period to access food, support with utility bills and other essentials to help keep people warm and fed.

The scheme will now run through to April 16^th. Some support for other vulnerable adults is also available where appropriate.

The programme is primarily for families with children under 19 as of who may not meet the threshold for benefits but have been affected directly by the pandemic through job losses, furlough, taking time off work unpaid to care for children who are isolating etc, and for those who are eligible for free school meals, healthy start vouchers, young people not in education or training.

Support with utility bills – we have three local organisations supporting residents who may be struggling to pay fuel and water bills over winter.  United Utilities is also partnering with us to help the most vulnerable with their water bills.

Support with essential items – support is available to replace broken washers, cookers, fridges and freezers, for boiler servicing and repairs and where families are struggling to afford essential toiletries, sanitary products, warm clothing and blankets.

The Council is working with Blackburn Foodbank, Darwen Food Larder, Care Network, BwD Healthy Living, Rummage Rescuers, Jubilee Tower Credit Union, United Utilities, Community Business Partners, Community Centres in BwD, Youth Action, Benefit Mankind, South East Blackburn Community Food Club and THOMAS.

To see if you qualify for support, you need to contact the Blackburn with Darwen Help Hub which is the central point of contact for the Covid Winter Grant Scheme.

People can self-refer by telephoning the Help Hub on (01254) 588111 between 9am – 5pm or anytime via the online form if you prefer.