Council Announces Financial Support for Pensioners

South Tyneside Council has announced that it will be making a £200 payment to around 1,250 low-income pensioners who have just missed out on Winter Fuel Allowance this year.

The Council is working hand in hand with support agencies across the borough to identify individuals and assist with 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.

The money will come from the Council's Household Support Fund (HSF) allocation. 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.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: "We have been working behind the scenes to do everything we can to support pensioners this winter. Our Pension Credit campaign has already increased take up with over £838,000 being claimed by residents since April 2023. Now we are allocating Household Support Fund to make payments to those who need it the most.

"Targeting support to make things fairer runs through everything we do as a council. Despite our limited finances we've been working 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 £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 HB / CTS database, customer will be required to declare if they are receiving the above benefits.

Ian Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at South Tyneside Citizens Advice said: "We are very excited to be working with the local Welfare Support team and Age Concern to help support low-income pensioners during these very difficult financial times. By working together, we will identify and assist many pensioners who unfortunately lost out on this year's Winter Fuel Payments. No pensioner should feel unable to put their heating on this winter and this funding will help ease this worry." 

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. 

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.

The Council is also working with the Borough's food banks and network of Welcoming Places to distribute 1,000 'warm packs' including a blanket, hot water bottle and flask to those who could benefit from them.

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