Southend-on-Sea City Council is launching a new round of the Household Support Fund (HSF) from October 2024 to March 2025, with a strong focus on supporting pensioners with rising living costs.
This extension of the HSF, funded by the UK Government, provides £1,413,079 to support local households, and the joint administration has ringfenced £250,000 specifically for pensioners who are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, such as those who may fall just short of Pension Credit eligibility.
The new funding aims to address immediate needs such as food, energy bills, and other household essentials, ensuring that those who need it can access vital support. Pensioners will be able to apply for grants of up to £360 to cover essential living expenses, with the opportunity to claim up to two grants throughout the winter.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "We understand the challenges our most vulnerable residents face, especially pensioners and that is why we are ring-fencing this funding to support those who have concerns about rising costs. We have also introduced a new process to identify pensioners who are entitled to pension credit but not claiming and so far, we have identified 715 residents who will be helped to make their pension credit claim. We encourage all pensioners to check their eligibility for pension credit.
"The goal of our 'Southend Pensioner Support' initiative is to ensure that help is available swiftly and efficiently so that no one in our community is left behind. By working closely with local partners and utilising the Household Support Fund, we are ensuring that pensioners and others in need can access the support required to stay warm, fed, and secure."
Estimates suggest that around 10,000 of Southend's approximately 32,000 pensioners would be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments through pension credit, although not all pensioners claim this entitlement at present. This dedicated fund is designed to provide peace of mind for those who may find themselves struggling with food or fuel bills.
The Essential Living Fund (ELF), the council's local welfare provision, will manage much of the distribution, ensuring that funds go directly to those in need. In addition to grants for food and fuel, eligible households can apply for energy-efficient white goods such as fridges and washing machines, helping them save on energy costs in the long term.
In addition, the council will partner with Citizens Advice Southend and the Southend Emergency Fund to distribute some of the funds to local charities and support groups, helping vulnerable residents including pensioners, disabled individuals, and those with caring responsibilities. By working with trusted local organizations, the Council ensures that the support reaches a broad cross-section of the community.
Applications for support:
Southend-on-Sea City Council has set up a dedicated webpage for pensioners and other eligible residents to apply for support under the Household Support Fund, providing full details of how to apply and eligibility criteria. Residents can also apply through partner organisations, such as Citizens Advice.
In addition to online applications, the Council will ensure that information about the fund is readily available at local GP surgeries, family hubs, and community centres, so that those who are not online can still easily access support.
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