Sandwell pensioners who received a letter from the council before Christmas with a £200 payment are being reminded to make sure they cash it in by the middle of March.
Older people who didn’t receive a Winter Fuel Payment but who qualify for Council Tax Reduction (and not Pension Credit) were written to in December along with a voucher that needs to be cashed in at the Post Office.
These payments are aimed at supporting households with people of pension age who aren’t eligible for Pension Credit, but who are on a lower income than most.
More than 75% of the 4,000 vouchers issued just before Christmas have been cashed – and anyone who hasn’t yet claimed the voucher is being reminded to take the letter to the Post Office to redeem it by 19 March 2025.
The payments are being funded by Sandwell’s Household Support Fund (HSF) programme. HSF is money given to councils by the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions to help people in need of financial support.
Eligible pensioners will have received their letter in the post so there is no need to apply.
Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Councillor Paul Moore said: “These payments are aimed at helping pensioners on low incomes who aren’t eligible for Pension Credit. The money will help many people with their fuel bills, groceries or dealing with the cost of living generally.
“The majority of people who we have written to have cashed in their payments, but we’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet to make sure they take their letter to the Post Office as soon as possible.
“The vouchers are valid for three months, so they must be cashed in by 19 March.
“Anyone who needs help or support with the cost of living should visit our Supporting Sandwell information hub where there’s lots of advice and information available.”
Visit the Household Support Fund webpage to find out how the council is using HSF money on a wide range of programmes to support people in Sandwell.
For anyone experiencing exceptional financial hardship, applications for crisis payments can be made through the council’s Local Welfare Provision scheme.
For details of all the support available for all households across Sandwell go to the Supporting Sandwell information hub.
Anyone who has received a letter who has questions can call the council on 0121 368 1155.