EALING Council has announced it will be supporting low-income families this half term through the use of vouchers and grants.

Over the coming days the council will issue supermarket vouchers and grants to almost 10,000 families on low incomes.

Eligible families do not need to apply, as the support will be automatically provided to all local households on the council's existing database that fit the criteria.

Around 12,000 children who go to school in the borough and who are eligible for free school meals will receive these benefits.

Those that live in Ealing but go to school in other boroughs will receive their vouchers from the council in which their school is located.

Parents of eligible children will receive £15 supermarket vouchers for each child and an additional payment of £30 per household.

Families with children younger than five years old who receive housing benefit or council tax reduction, or are living in temporary accommodation, will receive a one-off payment of £30.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council's cabinet member for finance and leisure, said: "Sadly, school holiday hunger is a reality for many families on low incomes in Ealing and COVID-19 has magnified the poverty that already existed even further.

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"We know that the current lockdown has led to real hardship for some of Ealing's poorest families.

"We will not stand by and watch children and their parents go hungry.

"That's why, despite the financial pressure on the council, we are investing around £465,000 to support the families most in need this half term."

Extra support is also available for households in financial crisis, with or without children, through the council's local welfare assistance scheme.

This support is designed to help pay for essentials like sanitary products, warm clothing, blankets, boiler repairs and equipment such as ovens or fridges.

It is open to families that have already received supermarket vouchers but need further help.

People seeking this extra support can click HERE.