Source: City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth pensioners can now apply for a payment from Portsmouth City Council which is open to some households who will miss out on the national Winter Fuel Payment.
The Portsmouth Older Persons Energy Payment offers a one-off £200 or £300 payment for this winter only, to pension-aged Portsmouth residents, who will be eligible if:
- They receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support
- They are not receiving any of the qualifying benefits for the Winter Fuel Payment – Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit.
A £200 payment will be given to eligible pensioners under the age of 80, and £300 to those 80 or over.
The scheme is live and applications can be made through the council’s website. Those who need help applying can call the council’s cost of living helpline 023 9284 1047 (open 9-5pm Monday-Friday, closes 4.30pm Friday).
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “Older residents can now apply for our energy payment scheme. We have launched it to support around 2,000 households who we believe will be impacted most by their Winter Fuel Payment being stopped.
“It will be a one-off support to help these people transition to no longer receiving the payment from government this year. We know a lot of people rely on that money each winter and they won’t have had time to budget for losing it.
“We unfortunately don’t have the financial resources to make this scheme permanent or to help all 18,000 Portsmouth households who won’t get the payment after the government’s change this year. But a range of support is available for all ages 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/costofliving
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 residents of all ages. 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.