Council Call for Pensioners to Claim £200

Pensioners are being reminded that they could be eligible for a £200 payment if they just missed out on Winter Fuel Allowance this year.

The Council is working hand in hand with agencies across the borough to support applications for around 1,250 pensioners just above the Pension Credit threshold. The payments are targeted at those who are on a low income but not eligible for Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Allowance but who may be impacted by the loss of Winter Fuel Allowance and by rising energy prices.

Cllr Paul Dean, Lead Member for Voluntary Sector Partnerships and Equalities, said: "We've already paid out cash to over 120 South Tyneside pensioners since we launched the scheme last month, but we want to reach absolutely everyone who could be eligible.

"As well as helping people claim the £200 our teams have also been able to secure other benefits and support for pensioners. Its really important people come forward and have this conversation now, we've only got until the end of March to spend the money, so the time is now for people to come forward.

"It is a quick and straightforward process. We have Council, Age Concern and Citizens Advice teams ready to help you right now. Don't delay, get in touch."

The Council's Pension Credit campaign has already increased take up. It is now using the Household Support Fund to make payments to those who need it the most.

The £200 payment will be administered by a short application, completed by the relevant support agency on behalf of the individual. Applicants will need to declare that they are in receipt of, or eligible for, certain benefits.

Key criteria to meet are:

• Where the individual is in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support but is not yet in receipt of Pension Credit

or

• Where the individual is eligible for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and applied for Pension Credit after 21 December 2024 (thereby missing the deadline to qualify for a winter fuel payment). No checks will be carried out against Housing Benefit / Council Tax Support database. Customers will be required to declare if they are receiving the above benefits.

To make an application pensioners who meet the criteria are advised to contact Citizens Advice, Age Concern, or the Council's Welfare Support team.

The Council's Welfare Support team can be contacted by phone: 0191 424 6040, email: welfaresupport@southtyneside.gov.uk, or via the Council's website.

Citizens Advice can be contacted on 0191 455 7958, email admin@southtynecab.net, or visit www.southtynelca.net.  

Call ACTS Age Concern South Tyneside on 0191 456 6903 or visit www.ac-ts.org.uk. 

Cllr Dean added: "Targeting support to make things fairer runs through everything we do as a council. We work hard to make sure that every penny counts and that our finances and resources are targeted in the right way so that we can work to try and reduce those inequalities we have across the borough. This project is just another example of that.

"The financial support complements our wider offer through our network of Welcoming Places and work we do hand in hand with the voluntary sector."

The Council's Household Support Fund (HSF) allocation is being used for the payments. HSF funding has already had a significant impact in helping thousands of local families and those on the lowest incomes. This support has helped fund food vouchers for children on free school meals during school holidays; school uniforms vouchers; food banks; the community food bus; welfare support team; dedicated support for care leavers and voluntary sector support to fund vital projects targeted at particular groups.

The Council has reminded people to check their eligibility for Pension Credit by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit or calling 0800 991 234. It is estimated that thousands of older people in South Tyneside are still missing out on Pension Credit, a valuable government benefit that could benefit them by around £32 a week. Pension Credit is also a gateway entitlement that can enable residents to access other support like dental treatment, vouchers towards glasses and discount on water rates. Recipients may even get Housing Benefit, Warm House Discount, Cold Weather Payment, and help paying rent or Council Tax.

For more information on the Council's Household Support Fund allocation and how it is being spent visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/hsf