THOUSANDS of pensioners are set to get EXTRA cost of living payments to help pay for spiralling energy bills.
The nation is bracing itself for eye-watering energy costs, with bills expected to hit £6,089 a year in April.
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Help is on offer to those who are struggling to pay their bills, including council-run schemes like the Household Support Fund.
Since the scheme launched in October, £1.5billion has been dished out to councils, who then distribute these funds to those most in need.
The help on offer – and who can get it – varies from council to council, but you can get food vouchers, free cash, and money to put towards your energy bills.
Many authorities are boosting the cash help on offer specifically to help older people through the cost of living crisis.
Portsmouth Council, for example, announced that thousands of pensioners will be given £100 for free to help with energy bills.
More than 6,000 pensioners on a low income will get the boost – there’s no need to apply, the council is writing to those who are eligible.
You’ll be able to get the cash if you:
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Herefordshire Council is also dishing out more payments to help elderly residents.
Around 3,200 households will get a one-off payment of £170, and you are eligible if:
- you are of state pension age (66 years old)
- get pension credit guarantee – which tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level which is £182.60 a week for single people and £278.70 for couples
- live in Herefordshire but not in a residential or care home
What if I don’t live in these areas?
If you don’t live in these areas, check out who your local council is and what help they are offering under their Household Support Fund scheme.
You can do that using the government’s local council checker tool by inputting your postcode.
Help varies from council to council, but Torbay Council offers residents a maximum amount of £50 towards food or energy bills, for example.
While Wolverhampton City Council is giving households containing single adults up to £65 in cash to help with the cost of food and energy.
Even if you’re not eligible for help under the Household Support Fund you may be eligible for cash elsewhere to help with the cost of living.
A number of councils have opened up their applications for a discretionary fund to help those on Universal Credit, Council Tax Support and other means-tested benefits – you could get up to £300.
