State pensioners can get £300 to replace Winter Fuel Payment plus another £500 off bills

State pensioners can get up to £300 to replace the Winter Fuel Payment along with another £500 off their energy bills. A DWP fund has provided cash to local authorities so they can step in and help older people who will lose their fuel allowance this year because of the new restrictions.

Around 10 million pensioners are no longer eligible for the annual payment of £200 to £300 after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced it would be limited to those in receipt of Pension Credit and some other means-tested benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions is urging people to put in a claim for Pension Credit so they can regain access to the allowance.

It has also invested another £421 million into its Household Support Fund which is shared among local authorities across England. The fund has been extended for another six months so it will run until the end of next March.

Council bosses are being urged to make sure the fund is used partly to help those who aren't eligible for Pension Credit and won't be getting a Winter Fuel Payment this year. Solihull Council has confirmed it will set aside cash to offer an equivalent sum to older people in the borough.

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The council received £1.4 million in its Household Support Fund allocation and says that through its partner Age UK Solihull, it can provide a £200-£300 fuel payment per household for pensioners who are on a low income and are not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

The scheme will also offer fuel debt relief of up to £500 per household for pensioners who are unable to pay their electricity, gas or water bills. Blankets, quilts, warm clothing and emergency portable heaters will also be available. Residents who are over State Pension age and have less than £5,000 in savings can apply for any of this support by speaking to Age UK Solihull on 0121 704 8080, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or by sending an email to admin@solihullcommunityhub.org.uk

Solihull Council is separately offering other households up to £147 towards energy costs with a fuel voucher or energy payment card, plus free white goods, furniture, and referrals to food banks. It can also provide supermarket vouchers for clothing and travel passes for journeys to priority appointments.

The council has also partnered with the charity Act on Energy which will provide fuel vouchers of up to £147 per household and fuel debt relief of up to £500 to those who are unable to pay utility bills. Eligibility and application details for each of these schemes are available on the Solihull Council website.

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