Mancunian pensioners losing winter fuel payment will get up to £200 from council

Mancunian pensioners losing their winter fuel payment will get up to £200 from the council to pay their energy bills, the Manchester Evening News can exclusively reveal.

The council’s new ‘hardship fund’ means every pensioner in the city who needs help staying warm will get support this winter, either with the government’s £300 winter fuel allowance - recently cut back by Chancellor Rachel Reeves - or from the town hall.

Residents 'in hardship' aged between 66 to 79 will receive £150, with those over 80 in line for £200, bosses have confirmed. Formal criteria of 'hardship' has yet to be 'defined', the M.E.N. understands. But would-be recipients are being urged to come forward regardless to see if they can benefit.

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Some OAPs will automatically qualify. The council says any pensioner receiving council tax support, or housing benefit, won’t ‘need to do anything’ because the cash will be paid ‘directly’ to their bank accounts next month where the council has those details, or in Post Office Vouchers, according to the authority.

“We know as we approach winter that the cost-of-living crisis hasn’t gone away and as a council we will be doing everything this winter to support those struggling or facing hardship,” said leader councillor Bev Craig. “The message is clear, if you are struggling this winter, please contact us and we will support you.”

It’s thought nearly 5,000 pensioners will benefit from the move, which will be paid for by the Household Support Fund (HSF), a government pot of cash aimed at easing the burden of the cost-of-living crisis.

But older people aren’t the only Mancs eligible for help from the authority. Any household which receives a council tax support discount will also automatically be paid £100.

Moreover, care leavers will be paid £10 per week if they live in their own tenancy, and parents whose children eat free school meals in term-time will get a £15 food voucher for the autumn half-term, a £30 voucher for the Christmas holidays, and another £15 voucher for the spring half-term for each child.

Youngsters can also take advantage of a programme of free half-term activities, funded to the tune of £190,000 by the council.

It’s a ‘targeted’ approach Coun Craig believes ‘will make a real difference to tens of thousands’. She added: “This additional support scheme has been designed to reach those who need it most this winter, including pensioners and will sit alongside the council’s major campaign to make sure we increase the number of people receiving pension credits and extra support.

“We are writing to those we think should be eligible and I’m urging as many people to sign up - this is money you are entitled to after decades of hard work and paying into the system.”

In Manchester, some 8,000 pensioners are thought to be eligible for pension credits but are not claiming it, potentially missing out on a collective £24m. Town Hall bosses are encouraging the friends and families of pensioners to check if they’re claiming what they’re entitled to by calling the advice line below.

Any Mancunian can receive free advice on how to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, or see if they’re eligible for council help, by calling 0800 0232692 between 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

More information is also available online here, or by texting 07860 022876.