Families in Wokingham Borough will receive a share of a £20,000 fund to help with the cost of living during the festive break.
More than 1,200 households will receive an additional £15 per household if any child they have receives means-tested free school meals.
This will top up the £30 per child they will already receive during the two-week school holidays.
To ensure those entitled to it receive the support, the council is working alongside three of its Hardship Alliance partners to administer the fund: Age UK Berkshire, Citizens Advice Wokingham and First Days Children’s Charity.
In all, more than £500,000 will be spent this winter to help those who are struggling with the cost of living with funding coming from the Government’s Household Support Fund scheme.
A chunk of the money is earmarked as £15 per week, per eligible child, during school holidays. This applies for half-terms, Christmas and Easter holidays.
Wokingham Borough Council said some families eligible for payments have yet to come forward, and the support will be back paid when they do.
The total amount received depends on the number of children in a family who get free school meals, such as £120 for one child or £210 for two children.
Emma Cantrell, chief executive of First Days Children’s Charity, said: “This extra support will help thousands of children in Wokingham Borough during the Christmas school holidays.
“Every pound to help towards food will make a huge difference.”
Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty at the council, is leading the council’s response to the cost of living crisis.
“We continue to work alongside all our partners to help as many residents who need it this winter,” she said.
“This money will help children and families in the area who need it most. But there are funding options for others too. Anyone struggling to pay energy bills or buy food can apply through Citizens Advice or Age UK.”
Residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills or buy food can also apply to the Household Support Fund, this can be a £120 voucher.
Call Citizens Advice Wokingham One Front Door on 0808 278 7958
Apply on Citizens Advice Wokingham website
Call Age UK Berkshire on (0118) 959 4242.
