Additional input from: Ethan Davies with Chris Gee, Charlotte Hall, Joseph Timan, George Lythgoe, and Nick Jackson
A third winter in the cost-of-living crisis is just around the corner.
Energy bills have soared since spring 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When looking at ‘typical energy bills’, prices spiked in January 2023, when the previous government put a cap of £2,500 per household in place.
However, that cap was lifted last summer, when typical household bills fell below the threshold. The cap for the last three months of this year is just over £1,700 — and British Gas expects it to stay around this figure in early 2025.
However, while bills have fallen since last year, so has the amount of government support for pensioners. Over the summer, then-new Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel allowance would be cut.
Her decision meant the allowance went from being universally available to all pensioners to only those receiving certain kinds of benefits. In the wake of the move, local authorities across Greater Manchester have urged OAPs who are entitled to pension credit to come forward — as thousands of our elderly are missing out on millions of pounds.
Now, some authorities in Greater Manchester are going one step further. Manchester City Council has launched its own ‘hardship fund’.
It will allow pensioners in the city who’ve lost their winter fuel allowance, but still need help making ends meet, claim up to £200. But that’s not the only scheme designed to help our elderly.
We asked every council in Greater Manchester how it is supporting older residents with energy bills this winter. Here’s what they told us.
Manchester
Manchester’s ‘hardship fund’ means pensioners ‘in hardship’ aged between 66 to 79 can receive £150, with those over 80 in line for £200, bosses have confirmed.
Formal criteria of ‘hardship’ has yet to be ‘defined’, it’s understood. But anyone the council already knows will qualify for the payment will be paid automatically.
“We know as we approach winter that the cost-of-living crisis hasn’t gone away and as a council we will be doing everything this winter to support those struggling or facing hardship,” said leader, councillor Bev Craig. “The message is clear, if you are struggling this winter, please contact us and we will support you.”
Coun Craig estimates 8,000 Mancs are eligible for pensioner credit but are not claiming it — losing out on £24m.
Any Mancunian can receive free advice on how to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, or see if they’re eligible for council help, by calling 0800 0232692 between 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
More information is also available online here, or by texting 07860 022876.
Salford
Salford’s strategy has been to get more OAPs to claim pension credits — and city mayor Paul Dennett has put £400,000 over three years into a scheme designed to do this. It’s said, so far, pensioners in Salford have claimed an extra £1.6m, including pension credit.
“We think we’ve got about 3,700 people who are entitled to Pension Credits who aren’t currently claiming,” said Dennett. “We’ve written out to people – directly from myself – already, asking them to get in contact with welfare rights and debt advice if they can’t go through the application process itself because we think they’re entitled to it. That’s using our own datasets.”
Bolton
A new fund of up to £200,000 to support local pensioners this winter was approved by Bolton Council on October 9.
The decision means that £10,000 of unspent cash that had been allocated to the 20 ward budgets, under the direct control of the local councillors, would be removed and added to the new fund.
“We were happy to support a motion that asked the government to reconsider its decision on winter fuel payments, however we also wanted to do something far more constructive in order to actually make a bit of a difference to help people who may struggle with energy bills this winter,” said Coun Sean Fielding, architect of the fund.
“As we are moving money from unspent councillors’ budgets to this new fund, there is no additional burden on the taxpayer.”
The new fund will now be added to an existing local welfare provision fund, and could mean up to £1m being available for a wide range of projects, help and support for vulnerable individuals and families this winter.
The meeting also heard that the council will be working with the DWP and other local partners on a new drive to contact the estimated 3,400 Bolton pensioners who are entitled to claim pension credit, but are not doing so, which is worth an estimated £11m per year in unclaimed credits.
Bury
In September, Bury Council passed a motion in the light of the winter fuel payment cut on funding for drop-in centres for older residents.
The council has resolved to work with community organisations and churches throughout Bury to provide funding to cover the costs of hosting ‘warm hub drop-in centres’ for residents seeking either a warm space or advice on available help.
They will also invite organisations such as Age UK and Citizens Advice to provide help and advice on eligibility and completion of forms for pension credit, attendance allowance, council tax relief and carers allowance.
The council will also send a letter to all residents over the age of 66 to inform them of the deadline of December 21, 2024, for submitting a claim for pension credit in order that they may receive the full three months of backdated benefits.
Oldham
Oldham council has a dedicated advice phone line, plus webpages for help on how best to pay individual bills (e.g. rent or mortgages, energy bills, or food shopping). Five libraries across the borough ‘will host core services while addressing the specific needs of its residents in the area’.
Plans are still being ‘developed’ for more support, the LDRS understands, and the borough is putting a big emphasis on claiming pension credit – with 3,000 eligible people still not taking advantage.
You can find out more online here or call the advice line on 0161 770 7007 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or text 07860 022876.
Rochdale
Rochdale does not appear to have its own fund to help people with energy costs, but it has created a series of phone lines and websites to tell people what they’re entitled to. Some of those are designed for residents who don’t speak English fluently.
Neil Emmott, council leader, has urged ‘everyone to stay updated by following our channels, checking our webpage, or contacting our cost of living hotline for more information on the targeted funding and assistance available’.
He added: “It is crucial that we provide support to our older and vulnerable residents and young families this winter. Through our extensive assistance package and the government’s welcome extension of the Household Support Fund, we will make sure no one goes hungry or struggles to heat their home during the colder months.
“I am proud to lead a socially responsible and progressive council that is dedicated to providing a safety net for those most in need.”
Stockport
Stockport council says it’s developing plans for the how the government’s Household Support Fund — a pot of cash given to each council to help residents in the cost-of-living crisis — will be delivered.
For the time being, resident support is available through its Cost of living Hub and by calling its cost-of-living advice line. Support includes advice on benefits and debt, support with food and energy bills, council tax payment assistance and applying for pension credit. A spokesperson added: “With the changes to Winter Fuel Payments, we are urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit.”
You can call the advice line on 0161 474 2140 from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm.
Tameside
Similar to Salford, Tameside council is urging residents to claim pension credit, if they can. They believe £7m is unclaimed at present.
A spokesperson said: “We have a range of support available to help residents in need. This includes our Welfare Rights team hosting a Pension Credit Roadshow where older people across Tameside can find out if they’re eligible for an estimated £7 million of unclaimed Pension Credit and check they’re getting all the benefits they are entitled to..
“And our Helping Hand campaign offers support for those who need it most. It partners with local charities, food banks, and advice services, ensuring there’s a comprehensive network of help within reach. The advice on managing debt, maximising benefits, and planning a budget is invaluable for those facing ongoing financial stress.”
For dates and times of ‘roadshow’ events, visit the website here, or to see support available via the Helping Hand, go online here.
Trafford
Trafford council has developed a ‘Money Advice Referral Tool (MART)’ to help residents find advice — and if they’re entitled to government cash. The MART, developed with Resolve Poverty, can also give specific advice for a given situation, e.g. if someone experiences the sudden breakdown of a relationship, or if they’re waiting for a housing benefit decision.
It also believes 2,400 of its OAPs are missing out on £6.15m of pension credit, and is urging friends and family of would-be claimants to phone 0800 99 1234.
Wigan
Wigan is another council going down the route of trying to get more pensioners to claim the winter fuel allowance by claiming pension credit. Officials believe 4,000 people in the borough have left £5.2m unclaimed.
“We want to make sure that people aren’t relying on one off loans and that they know what’s coming into their households on a regular and consistent basis,” Coun Susan Gambles said. “People are sceptical [about claiming pension credit] but it’s more than £5m now and it’s getting bigger and bigger.
“That’s a lot of money, but there is a lot more that can be brought into the borough. Getting money into people’s pockets in this borough is really important.”
