STATE OF PAY
Full list of areas offering pensioner cost of living payments worth up to £200 after Winter Fuel cut
Keep scrolling to see if your council is on the list
RESTRICTING the Winter Fuel Payment to people on certain benefits has left many pensioners bracing themselves for a cold Christmas.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves's decision to means test the up to £300 cash boost has meant around 10million elderly people can no longer get the support.
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Only those claiming certain support such as Pension Credit will receive the handout, leaving many fearful of how they will cope with rising costs.
But those concerned should be aware of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF), which offers free grants to struggling households.
The scheme was originally rolled out in 2021 to help vulnerable people cope with the rising cost of living.
It has been extended many times, with the government promising to pump a further £1billion into the fund over 2025 and 2026.
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This is on top of the £421million top-up which was announced in September and saw the scheme extended until March 2025.
The money is paid out by local councils, with some allocating a certain amount to help struggling pensioners this winter.
Let's take a look at all the areas we know of that plan to help struggling pensioners.
East Riding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council was awarded nearly £2.1million in the latest round of the scheme to help local people in need,
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The council opened the scheme for applicants in October, and payments will be made until March 2025.
Low-income pensioners, disabled people, care leavers and those who are financially in crisis can claim £200 worth of cost-of-living support.
Support Fund Boost: Up to £500 Grants for Struggling Households
To apply for the fund you can visit www.eryc.link/fund.
Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet you can ring the following number, (01482) 393939.
Newcastle
Newcastle Council has been awarded £2.9million to help struggling families this winter.
Some £950,000 of that fund will be given to those who are pensionable age in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but who don’t qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Everyone who is identified as eligible for this support will be contacted directly in December by the council with their payment.
Rochdale
Rochdale Council has been given £2.3million to help families this winter and the fund is open to struggling pensioners as well.
The help will come in the form of food and energy vouchers which they use to help with bills.
The council said that anyone who is in financial need is eligible to apply for this fund.
To enquire about the help, you can ring the helpline on 01706 923685.
Salford
Salford City Council has £2.7million of cash to give to struggling people this winter.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said the funding will help the most vulnerable and anyone who is struggling financially should get in touch.
It will not be paid in cash but in vouchers which residents can use for food or fuel.
Residents do not need to be in receipt of benefits to apply. You can apply by visiting: //contactus.salford.gov.uk/?formtype=HSF.
You can also call the helpline 0800 011 3998.
Sandwell
Sandwell Council has been allocated more than £3.4million for the period up to March 2025 to help struggling families.
The council is using the funds to give 4,000 pensioners on low incomes a £200 payment.
To be eligible, you must receive council tax reduction, but not Pension Credit.
This payment will be sent to eligible households in a letter that can be cashed at a Post Office.
Wakefield
Wakefield Council is giving supermarket vouchers to vulnerable pensioners this winter.
The amount you can get depends on whether or not you receive Pension Credit or not.
Check out what you can get below
- Pensioners who still receive the Winter Fuel Allowance (i.e. those receiving Pension Credit) - £80
- Pensioners who no longer receive the Winter Fuel Allowance (i.e. those not receiving Pension Credit)- £130
- All other households in receipt of Council Tax Support - £80
You do not need to apply for these vouchers they will be issued automatically.
Wigan
Wigan Council said that it has been given a further £2.8million worth of cash to help people this winter.
It said if you are a pensioner in receipt of Council Tax Reduction you receive support to help rising costs in energy.
You don’t need to apply the support for all households who are entitled will be sent to their homes.
If you think you might be eligible and want to reach out you can visit: //www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Benefit-Grants/Welfare-Reform/Local-welfare-support-professional-referral-form.aspx.
Or, you can call 01942 705221.
Derby
Derby City Council has an additional £2.25million to help locals.
Councillor Sarah Chambers said there would be "targeted assistance" for pensioners and care leavers.
This includes support with energy bills.
Southampton
Southampton City Council has been given an extra £2.2million to share amongst struggling households.
The council said that it there to help is there to help pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.
Details of how you can apply have not yet been revealed but The Sun will update this piece when we learn more.
Swindon
Swindon Borough Council has been given an extra £1.5million this winter.
It said funds will be given to low-income pensioners most impacted by heating costs over winter following the increase in the energy price cap.
The application fund will reopen once approval for the spending plans has been agreed, which is likely to be sometime this month.
Telford and Wrekin
Telford and Wrekin Council said it would give pension-age residents who receive Housing Benefits and/or Council Tax Reduction one £100 supermarket voucher per household.
This will be issued by the end of January and the council will contact eligible residents with details of how to redeem their voucher.
Thurrock
Thurrock has been given an extra £2.5million to help with a particular focus on pensioners who no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can apply by visiting the searching this website, //www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund/3.
Peterborough
Peterborough Council said that it will give £100 vouchers to struggling elderly people this winter.
To be eligible for the voucher, you must meet the following criteria:
- Aged 65 living alone or with another eligible person aged 65+
- Households on a low income and not in receipt of Pension Credit
- Savings of less than £10,000 (proof is requested)
- Residing within the Peterborough City Council area
To apply for help ring 01733 564 185.
Or you can email [email protected]
Cornwall
Cornwall Council will make an £80 payment to an additional 3,000 pensioners in receipt of council tax support this winter.
Previously only those in receipt of pension credit received payments.
The latest round of funding will run to March 31, 2025, and will provide urgent support for those most in need.
Visit the following website for details on how to apply, //www.cornwall.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/household-support-fund/.
Swale
Swale has been given £250,000 to help needy lcoals.
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As part of this funding, chairty Age UK will be delivering hot meals and shopping to pensioners.
To find out more you can vist: //news.swale.gov.uk/news/get-help-with-food-gas-electric-and-water.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
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