Low-income households across the borough are being encouraged to check their post for letters confirming they’re eligible for extra support, including help with free school meals.

Ealing Council has been writing to residents in an effort to increase household incomes and bring more money into the borough.

Throughout April, the council has been writing to:

• 1,230 families in the borough to encourage them to apply to the Healthy Start Scheme. The scheme helps households access crucial nutritional support worth up to £280 per year, which can be used to buy food and milk for your children if they are under 4 years old, or for expectant mothers who are more than 10 weeks pregnant
• an additional 182 families, with 219 children in schools across the borough’s 7 towns , who are missing out on free school meals even though they are eligible to get them. Free school meals can save a family approximately £500 a year for each secondary school aged child. It also means that the family will receive Household Support Fund vouchers to help in the school holidays and will be eligible for the Holiday Activity and Food Scheme
• a further 925 residents who could be entitled to claim up to £108 per week in Attendance Allowance to support them with their care or any regular support they may require at home

This comes after the recent success of the council’s recent pension credit campaign, which resulted in more than 300 households in the borough collectively receiving more than £1.2 million extra in their pockets every year.

Councillor Steve Donnelly, the council’s cabinet member for inclusive economy, said: “Maximising residents’ incomes is one of the main ways we can support people living in Ealing to lead financially independent lives. Leading targeted campaigns like these will help to make sure our most vulnerable residents are getting everything they are entitled to.

“This is just the start of this more proactive approach and there will be more to come in future months so I would urge residents to look out for communications from us and take the necessary action.”

An online benefits calculator like Turn2Us can let you know if you are missing out on any key benefits. The process is quick and straightforward, and the outcome can make a huge difference to household incomes.

Families who think they might be eligible for free school meals can also apply directly via the council website.

More information and advice on cost of living support is available on the council’s website.