Thousands of low-income families are being offered financial support again for February half term.

Vouchers worth £15 per child will be distributed by Staffordshire County Council for the one-week school holiday to the families of up to 27,000 children to use in major supermarkets on food.

Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: "We know from the response of families to the support we have provided previously that what we are doing makes a difference to a lot of people, who are finding life difficult at the moment through no fault of their own.

"We want to help those in need ensure that children can get a decent daily meal and that other vulnerable groups are supported too."

In October families of more than 17,700 children took advantage of Staffordshire County Council's £15 half term voucher, while support for the two-week Christmas break was increased to reach the families of up to 27,000 children.

For school-aged pupils the scheme will be administered through their schools, while Staffordshire County Council's Family Hubs have already begun contacting families of children not in schools.

Those eligible include:

- Pupils entitled to free school meals

- Low-income families with pre-schoolers

- Recent care leavers

- College students aged 16-18 from low-income families

- Home educated children from low income families

All those eligible for the support next week should have been contacted by now. If not, those receiving free school meals should contact their school immediately, while all others should contact their local Family Hub.

Anyone who has recently been made redundant or is on 80 per cent of their usual income due to Covid-19 may also be eligible. Also, until the end of March 2021 people in those categories and families on working tax credit can claim a maximum of another three £15 vouchers.

The county council is also working with Staffordshire's eight district and borough authorities to identify vulnerable adults who need support, as well as promoting its virtual family hub, which has films of local people creating simple recipes.

Mark Sutton said: "We are doing all we can to help Staffordshire families where we can, which is why we included an additional 10,000 children last time and this.

"People shouldn't hesitate. If they think they are eligible for help and haven't already been contacted they should get in touch."