Hundreds of pensioners in Middlesbrough who will miss out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year are set to get up to £200 towards the cost of living.
Middlesbrough Council’s Executive will be asked to approve details of a scheme that will provide help under the government-funded Household Support Fund.
People aged 80 and over in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, but not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, would be entitled to receive £200. Those aged between 66 and 79 and meeting the same criteria would receive £150.
It’s estimated 1,500 households could benefit from the one of the two payments.
Pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance, or not on benefits with incomes of less than £20,000 for a single person, or £26,000 for a couple, will also be able to apply for a payment of £100.
In addition, the Council will issue automatic payments of £60 per child for families eligible for free school meals, if the scheme totalling £1.65m is approved.
Cllr Nicky Walker, Executive member for Finance, said: “When this phase of the Household Support Fund was announced, I made it clear where I thought we should prioritise our efforts to help pensioners of Middlesbrough on low incomes who will just miss out on getting the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
“The proposal strikes a balance between universal payments for families in receipt of certain benefits and targeting help at other groups, including pensioners.
“Given the national changes around the Winter Fuel Payment, it’s pleasing we’re able to propose something locally to support those pensioners this winter who may have worked hard all their lives but just miss out due to, for example, having a small works pension.
“Council staff have done a brilliant job in designing a scheme that directs support to areas where it’s needed most.”
Other details of the proposed scheme include:
- Families not eligible for free school meals, but who are receiving Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit can apply for £60 per child
- Residents not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction or benefits can apply based on their income with £35 for single people, £45 for couples and £60 per child for households with children allocated
- Pensioners not receiving Council Tax Reduction or other benefits can apply for £100 per household if income is below £20,000 for single people and £26,000 for a couple
- Residents receiving Attendance Allowance who aren’t entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment or other aspects of the Household Support Funding can apply for £100 per household.
The Council has distributed a total of £1.5m of Household Support Payments since April.
Last month the Council wrote to hundreds of older people thought to be eligible for Pension Credit but not currently receiving it.
The awareness campaign is intended to secure extra help for living costs, including the Winter Fuel Payment.
The work around pensioners follows a pilot to automatically enrol eligible children for free school meals, saving around 600 families £400 a year and generating more than £800,000 for schools in Pupil Premium funding.
All of the efforts to maximise support for Middlesbrough residents support the delivery of the Council’s priority to make the town a healthy place by reducing poverty.
Full details on Household Support Fund payments and application processes will be made available subject to Executive approval of the scheme on October 28.
The Council is required to submit a delivery plan to the Department for Work and Pensions before 1 November 2024.
Visit the support section of our website for more advice around the cost of living.