Staying well and getting help this winter in Norfolk

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Norfolk County Council has launched a scheme to provide support for those suffering financial hardship over the winter months due to Covid-19.

Applications can be made online, via the Norfolk Assistance Scheme pages at www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS or applicants can call 0344 800 8020.

The Covid Winter Support scheme can help with:

● Day to day living costs, including food and energy bills
● Daily essentials such as toiletries, sanitary products and nappies
● Food vouchers for the school holidays

ADVICE ON STAYING WARM

If you are worried about keeping warm and staying well this winter there are plenty of places to get advice.

Independent Age publishes Winter Wise guides online. Their helpline phone number is 0800 319 6789.

Citizen’s Advice can offer advice and support with energy and heating bills if you are struggling or would like to find out how to manage your payments more effectively. Call 0800 144 88 48.

There’s advice also advice from the County Council on staying well this winter, saving energy costs and financial help online here.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Norfolk County Council has extended its free school meal voucher scheme to cover February half term. A child from a family that receives benefits is eligible for a £15 voucher for the week.

The last time the voucher scheme ran over the Christmas period, Norfolk County Council issued more than 27,000 vouchers. Schools can order the supermarket gift cards for pupils using an online service and families can receive the codes by email to redeem themselves or as a gift card provided by post, collection or delivery to families without internet access.

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below:

  • Universal Credit – with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190

Children in years reception to two that receive Universal infant Free School Meals are not eligible as part of the scheme; they have to be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals.

For more information and to apply for free school meals, visit the Norfolk County Council website.