Portsmouth pensioners could receive extra financial support this winter as Portsmouth City Council looks to reduce the impact for those having their winter fuel payment stopped.
Some pension-aged residents will be offered a £200 or £300 payment from the council to replace the Winter Fuel Payment they will miss out on.
The new, city council-funded scheme will be available to around 2,000 pension-aged households on low income. It will help them to meet their winter energy costs, after the government announced that only households receiving Pension Credit, or another qualifying benefit will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
The city council has identified just over 2,000 pension-age households who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support but are not receiving Pension Credit, so won’t now qualify for the government’s payment. A one-off payment of £200 for this winter will be available to residents in this group who are under 80 years of age, and £300 for those 80 and over.
Eligible residents will need to apply when the scheme opens shortly.
The council is inviting people to fill in an expression of interest form which is live on the council’s website.
People can find the webpage with information and the form on the council’s website at portsmouth.gov.uk and using the search bar to search ‘older persons energy payment’ , or call the council’s cost of living helpline 023 9284 1047 (open 9-5pm Monday-Friday, closes 4.30pm Friday).
The financial support is a one-off payment aimed at helping older residents adjust to not getting the Winter Fuel Payment.
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“We believe around 2,000 Portsmouth households will be hardest hit by losing the government’s Winter Fuel Payment this year. A lot of people rely on that money every year and they won’t have had time to budget for losing it.
“That is why the council is allocating significant funds to provide one-off payments to these most vulnerable elderly residents, at a time when there’s the double hit of energy price rises, and give them time to adjust to not receiving the money from government.
“We would like to do more to help people but the limited funding we have means we are not able to offer this payment to all of the 18,000 Portsmouth older households who won’t get the national Winter Fuel Payment. However, the council continues to offer a range of support for all ages of people who are struggling with the cost of living this winter.”
2,500 households missing out on Pension Credit
It’s estimated that nearly 2,500 Portsmouth households aren’t claiming the Pension Credit they’re entitled to, and are missing out on an average of £3,900 per person a year, or £300 a month. People receiving Pension Credit will automatically receive the government’s Winter Fuel Payment.
The council is urging everyone of pension age, their families and friends to check if they are eligible. You can find out if you are eligible and claim Pension Credit online on the government website or by phone on 0800 99 1234, where you can also request a form through the post. Check if you’re eligible using the online Pension Credit Calculator.
Support for all ages
Cost-of-living helpline and online information hub: For help around essential costs, health and wellbeing, jobs, money and housing, and hardship funding people can apply for. The helpline is open weekdays from 9am-5pm (closes 4.30pm Fridays) on 023 9284 1047, or visit: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/cost-of-living-hub
Switched On Portsmouth: For help reducing energy bills, including referring to energy saving schemes and offering free advice. Call on 0800 260 5907 or visit www.switchedonportsmouth.co.uk.
Household Support Fund: The Council will continue to use government grants to support all ages of residents. Following the recent six-month extension of the grant, the team are setting up new schemes to assist people in need. Information on the help available will continue to be updated on the Household Support Fund webpages.
Warm Spaces: Our libraries are again now offering hot drinks in all nine libraries over the winter, along with other community settings. Find the fantastic, free activities happening in our libraries on the website, on Facebook or by popping into your local library: Events – Public Library Service (portsmouth.gov.uk)