State pensioners missing out on this year’s Winter Fuel Payment in Manchester are being urged to claim up to £200 towards energy bills from the local council.

The support forms part of Manchester City Council’s portion of the Household Support Fund, a Government scheme launched for local authorities to help their constituents with living costs.

Councils in England decide how best to allocate their portion of the fund, with the amount received based on the size of the population within its catchment area and its needs. This year, the support will run from from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

A statement on Manchester City Council’s website reads: “We have created a hardship fund as part of the Household Support Fund to help pension-age residents in need with winter fuel assistance.

“This fund is specifically for people who are in need but will not receive the winter fuel payment automatically.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made changes to the eligibility criteria of the Winter Fuel Payment this year, introducing means-testing for those receiving specific benefits instead of automatically granting it to everyone over the state pension age.

To be eligible to claim Manchester City Council’s support, people must:

• Be aged 66 or over on September 23, 2024, and will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Not be in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit from the council.
• Live within the area covered by Manchester City Council.

If this criteria applies, payments will be made depending on the claimants’ age. Residents aged 66 to 79 will receive a payment of £150, while residents aged 80 or over will receive a payment of £200.

Only one Household Support Fund payment will be made to each eligible household, and people can apply for it here

Along with Winter Fuel Payment support, Manchester City Council is offering additional support to people who receive certain benefits.

For example, up to £60 is available to claim per child for parents who qualify for free school meals, as well as up to £260 to claim by care leavers to top up their income.

Meanwhile, the council is offering a £100 payment to households receiving Council Tax Support where at least one person receives a disability benefit – such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Councils across the country are offering their own varying support, making it key for Britons to check their local authority’s website or call their office to see what’s available to them.

People can use this postcode checker to find out what council they fall under.