State pensioners can claim £350 free cash payment to help with energy bills after winter fuel payments cut

STATE pensioners are eligible to claim up to £350 in cash to help cover the cost of energy bills this winter.

The Suffolk Community Foundation has launched the 14th year of its annual Surviving Winter appeal, which is in response to winter fuel payments being slashed.

Previously, the winter fuel payment was paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills.

However, in July, the government said it would only be made to those on low incomes who received certain benefits.

Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s decision to means-test the up to £300 cash boost has meant around 10million elderly people can no longer get the support. 

Now only those receiving pension credit will receive the handout.

The Suffolk charity said it’s campaign has become even more relevant this year because ninety per cent of pensioners are estimated to lose the winter fuel payment.

It added that the government’s policy change also means the organisation cannot rely on those who do not need the payment to consider donating it to help others.

According to the appeal’s website, the campaign has raised more than £1.5 million so far, and the charity is appealing to anyone who feels able to donate to consider doing so.

£175 could be used to help someone pay for gas or electricity, whereas £350 could provide 500 litres of heating oil.

It adds that the fund has provided a lifeline for many thousands of people by helping them to stay safe and healthy in their own homes as the weather turns colder.

How can I apply for the scheme?

You may apply for support if you are over the age of 66 and are not on pension credit.

You must also live in Suffolk, have maximum savings of £5,000 and a maximum income of £20,000, or £24,000 if you’re a couple.

Three charity partners are working with Suffolk Community Foundation to manage the applications and payments; East Suffolk Citizens Advice, Sudbury and South Suffolk Citizens Advice and Gatehouse Caring.

Individuals wishing to apply should get in contact with the office of the district or borough they live in.

What other cost of living payments are available?

Plenty of councils across the country are offering extra support to pensioners in light of the missing Winter Fuel Payment.

For example, 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: https://contactus.salford.gov.uk/?formtype=HSF.

You can also call the helpline 0800 011 3998.

The current economic climate is seeing more charities step in to fill the gap left by a lack of support from the Government and statutory services. 

For those living with cancer, Macmillan’s Financial Grants Scheme was established to help support those who are struggling to cover essential living costs.

So anyone living with cancer and who needs help with bills and other essentials can apply for the grant.

It’s worth up to £350 and is a one-off payment and can be used to help with things like:

• Energy bills
• Home adaptions
• The cost of travel to and from hospital
• Any extra costs you might have because of cancer

It is means-tested, so you must have no more than £6,000 in savings for a household of one person or no more than £8,000 for a household of two or more people.

You must have a weekly income of no more than £323 per week for a household of one person or no more than £442 per week for a household of two or more people.

Benefits like personal independence payments (PIP), disability living allowance (DLA) or attendance allowance (AA) do not count towards income for this.

To apply you can call 0808 808 00 00 or you can speak to one of your healthcare team, like a district nurse or Macmillan nurse, care professional or benefits adviser who can fill in the form with you online.

The British Legion has also set up a Cost of Living grant, which can be applied for here using the Lightning Reach portal.

You can also find out what grants may be available to you using Turn2Us’s grant search on the charity website.

There is a huge range of grants available for different people – including those who are bereaved, disabled, unemployed, redundant, ill, a carer, veteran, young person or old person.

What is the Household Support Fund?

You may also be eligible for up to £500 worth of cost of living payments from the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421 million in total.

It’s available to support those who are struggling to afford household basics including food, energy, wider essentials, and exceptional costs.

The fund has been split up between councils in England who are in charge of distributing their allocation.

It was set up in 2021, however, it has been extended by the UK government a number of times. 

How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances. 

To be eligible for help, you usually have to be in receipt of a council tax reduction or show proof of being in financial difficulty.

Each council has a different application process – so you’ll have to ask your local authority or find out via your council’s website.

To find out how to contact your local authority, use the gov.uk authority tool checker.

In the last round of funding, some residents received their share automatically, while others had to apply.

For example, Haringey London Council is issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, as well as a support fund which can be applied to.

It is also issuing payments to schools, which means they can distribute free school vouchers.

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