Household Support Grant 2021
Vital financial support will be available for eligible families across Royal Greenwich this winter, as the Royal Borough of Greenwich steps up to help those who are struggling.
Using money from the Government’s Household Support Grant, we will be supporting a number of schemes throughout December, until March, to ensure our residents stay warm, well and safe.
- We are sending targeted payments to residents for free school meals, along with equivalent payments for pre-school children, care leavers and nil recourse to public funds households.
- We’ll also use the funding to strengthen the existing programmes including food banks and food pantries, and Stay Warm Stay Safe, as well as the Emergency Support Scheme.
- The payments will be available to be accessed in the New Year, right through to March, as support from the council doesn’t end at Christmas.
Free school meals payments
All children currently claiming free school meals in Royal Greenwich schools will qualify for a payment. Entitlement is confirmed via the schools, and you will be contacted by text message or email from the council letting you know how you will receive the payment.
Four payments will be made: one of £15 per child in October half-term, one of £40 per child in December, one of £15 paid during February half-term, and one of £30 for the Easter school holidays.
The council will also be paying this to anybody attending a Royal Greenwich school that is eligible and signs up for Free School Meals before March 2022.
Sign up for free school meals or contact your school.
Payments for pre-school children
In the new year, we will make payment to children in low income households who have a child not yet in school. Entitlement will be confirmed by childrens centres and early-years childcare providers, and you will be contacted by text message or email from the council letting you know how you will receive the payment.
Two payments will be made: one payment of £50 per child by the end of January, and one payment of £50 by the end of March.
Find out more about our children's centres.
Other targeted payments
Targeted payments will also be made to other vulnerable households in the new year who are supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Stay Warm Stay Safe
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is providing extra services and support for residents who may be at risk during the cold weather.
Residents who are over 60, caring for a young or vulnerable person or having problems paying their winter fuel bills could benefit from Stay Warm Stay Safe.
Emergency Support Scheme.
The emergency support scheme was set up by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to provide discretionary support to local residents in difficult times, for example, after a house fire or flood.
There are two types of support available:
- Community support awards
- Emergency support payments.