HELPING HAND
Thousands of pensioners to get £200 bank boost to replace Winter Fuel Payment – will you get it?
Letters will be sent to those eligible
THOUSANDS of pensioners are set to get a much-needed £200 bank boost this year.
It comes after the Government changed the eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment meaning only those on certain benefits, including pension credit, will receive the allowance worth up to £300.
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North Lincolnshire Council revealed on Tuesday that 3,000 pensioners who would miss out on the winter fuel payment this year will now be given the £200 helping hand.
The council said it has looked at how it could help the pensioners most in need following the Government’s decision to scrap the winter fuel payment for the vast majority of pensioners.
Further investment is also being provided through an air fryer and slow cooker programme that will be available to all residents of pension age, the council added.
The money will be given to pensioners who do not qualify for pensioners tax credit - but do receive council tax support.
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Letters will be sent directly to those eligible which they can exchange for the £200 at any post office, so there is no need to apply, local authorities said.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have looked at how best to support the most vulnerable pensioners following the Government’s cruel decision to scrap the winter fuel payments for most pensioners.
“With some pensioners having to decide whether to eat or heat we had to act and are investing £600,000 to help those most in need.
"In addition, our investment in helping older people with air fryers and slow cookers will help ensure our residents will be able to limit their energy usage whilst also supporting healthy eating.
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“The money will be in people’s pockets before Christmas, going someway to help older people who may be struggling with high bills this winter.
“This is on top of the other support the council provides to pensioners – such as an energy switching service, open access libraries which serve as warm locations, leisure packages, a free bus pass and free car parking.”
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The council will use money from the Government’s Housing Support Fund for the £200.
Earlier this month The Sun reported how hundreds of households missing out on a winter fuel payment could apply for £200 to cover energy bills within weeks.
The help comes via a round of the Household Support Fund which is worth £421million.
The fund is designed to help hard-up households cover the cost of living, mostly through cash grants, supermarket and energy vouchers.
Each council across England has been allocated a share of the £421million pot and decides who to distribute money to.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a second time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a third extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fourth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
In September 2024, the Government announced a fifth extension.
North Devon Council set aside £200,000 for pensioners receiving a council tax reduction but not pension credit.
The local authority said 2,700 residents in the area get a council tax reduction, with roughly 1,000 of this figure not receiving pension credit on top.
Councillors are concerned this cohort could struggle to pay for their energy bills this winter.
Other help on offer
If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund, you might be able to get a grant from your energy firm to cover energy debt, The Sun reported earlier this month.
British Gas is handing out grants worth £1,700 to struggling households through its Individual and Families Fund.
The fund is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers living in England, Scotland or Wales.
You won't be eligible if you received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years.
And you must be seeking a grant to clear outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account.
Crucially, you also need to have received help from a money advice agency within the last six months.
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If you don'y qualify for help with British Gas, a number of other energy firms offer help to customers struggling with energy bill debt.
This includes OVO, Boost, E.On, E.On Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE and Utilita.
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