Cash-strapped pensioners around Salford are seeing a real boost to their budget with more than 1,800 households receiving a £200 local winter support payment.
The Salford City Council scheme launched last month helps people of pensionable age on low incomes with their fuel bills this winter.
Approximately 3,000 Salford households receive support under the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme for pensioners but are not in receipt of pension credits.
Instead Salford City Council has stepped in to help out and has paid out a total of £361,200, as of today (December 9).
City Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, said: “It’s already proving to be a lifeline for those struggling with the increased costs of heating and many could not afford to stay warm this winter without our help.”
He continued: “It’s been a real team effort to set up this scheme and process payments so quickly and we’re delighted to have seen such a positive response from the community.
“Salford is seen as a leader in placing poverty prevention and reduction at the heart of everything we do as a city and I’m immensely proud of all that we’ve achieved to support the most in need.”
Really pleased to hear that over 1,800 households have now received £200 as part of @SalfordCouncil‘s local Winter Fuel Payment scheme.
For more information and details on how to apply please see below👇https://t.co/Ph3caEWXAP
— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) December 9, 2024
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: “It’s really heartening to hear about the difference our scheme is making which has also highlighted further help available to residents from other council services.
“We’ve also invested in supporting pensioners to apply for Pension Credit so this scheme enhances other initiatives which tackle poverty and inequality across the city.”
Hundreds of older people in Salford are thought to be eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming it. Those who haven’t applied yet are being encouraged to do so.
People on Pension Credit also qualify for the government’s Winter Fuel Payment (which must be applied for before December 21), a warm homes discount, free TV licence if aged over 75 and more housing benefit and council tax reductions.
More information about the Winter Fuel Support payments can be found here.
Read about this and told some pensioner friends, who qualify for the council tax reduction but are not eligible for pension credit. One of my friends called into the council offices to enquire only to be told that the Winter Fuel Payment scheme is means tested and he wouldn’t qualify for it. Surely if he passed a means test then he would qualify for Pension Credit and the WFA and would not need the WFP?