If your child is eligible for free school meals, you will soon receive a voucher to use towards food
and other essential items over the Christmas school holidays.
We know that fuel needs and costs can increase also during the winter months, so additional help is
available during this time.
A £10 fuel top up is available for qualifying families accessing their fuel via a pre-payment meter.
Those eligible can claim one voucher per household (not per child).
The voucher scheme is open between Friday 11 th December 2020 and Monday 11 th January 2021. If
you would like to claim a voucher, please see the below information and follow the guidance that is
relevant to you.
If you have a fuel meter and are currently in arrears:
Please ring your local advice provider, who can speak to the energy company on your behalf to
request or review debt repayment plans or ask for additional credit, so you can benefit from this top
up now.
They will also arrange for you to be issued with a £10 top up code direct to your phone.
You will be asked to confirm you are eligible for free school meals and to provide your name and
address.
Shiney Advice and Resource Project
North, Washington & Coalfields areas
For North, Washington & Coalfields
Tel: 0191 385 6687
Email: advice@shineyadvice.org.uk
For West
Sunderland West Advice Project
Tel: 0191 514 2930 or 0191 514 2011
Email: swap@pallionactiongroup.co.uk
Citizens Advice Sunderland
East area
Tel: 0300 330 1194
Dedicated debt line on 0191 415 8998
Email: enquiries@citizensadvicesunderland.co.uk
If you have a fuel meter and are not in arrears but are struggling or worrying about winter fuel
costs:
Simply apply online at www.sunderland.gov.uk/WinterFuelSupportScheme to claim a £10 top up
code, that can be issued direct to your telephone or email.
If you are not able to access the online form, please ring 0800 234 6084 between 8.30am to 5.00pm.
You will be asked to confirm you are eligible for free school meals and to provide your name and
address.
Remember, if you are worried about your fuel energy bills or have any issues with your energy
supplier, help is always available from your local advice provider or these other organisations:
NEA (Action for Warm Homes)
Energy advice and help with fuel bills.
Website: www.nea.org.uk/advice/wash-advice/.
Telephone: 0800 304 7159
Green Doctor Service
Practical energy advice to help save money and help with fuel costs and other bills.
Website: www.thegreendoctors.org
Telephone: Julia Bentley – 07515 327 185
Email: julia.bentley@groundwork.org.uk
