City Council Sunderland Fuel Fund for pensioners

Eligible pensioners are being contacted with letters from the City Council.

The fund for this winter has been created by the council and has nearly £1m that will be distributed to pensioners.  

Pensioners already receiving the two means tested benefits of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support on Monday 4 November 2024, and who are not receiving Pension Credit, will get a single automatic payment into one bank account or via a Post Office voucher. Eligible pensioners get their notice letter this month and direct payments or voucher in December or January.

Sunderland Fuel Fund payments are:

• £200 per household where the person/both members of a couple are under 80 years old
• £300 per household where the person or either member of the couple is 80 years old or over.

The Sunderland Fuel Fund of £910,000 is expected to benefit more than 5,000 pensioners and is one payment per household. The payment does not affect any other benefit entitlements and does not have to be repaid.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Michael Mordey said: "As a City Council we always recognise and strive to help and support our most vulnerable residents and households. Thousands of residents have already benefited from council distributed Household Support Fund payments through the Cost of Living crisis. Now, assistance is being made for pensioners who might be facing greater challenges with their fuel bills."

Sunderland Fuel Fund payments are being made from the council's Government allocated Household Support Fund (£610,000 from £2,673m) and topped up with a City Council contribution of £300,000.

Cllr Mordey added: "These automatic payments are about providing help for low-income pensioners who may have been worried about having the heating on over the coming winter.

"I would also remind pensioners to check whether they are entitled to Pension Credit, and if so to please claim. There is support out there and there is no stigma to asking if you are eligible and can receive more. Pension Credit can open up many more benefits and discounts that help with lowering bills and making money go further."

For more information and to check eligibility go to www.gov.uk/pension-credit or contact the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 991234.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Beth Jones, said: "It's one payment per pensioner household. The cost-of-living crisis is still with many of us and as a council we always look to where we can help those who might be facing hardship."

More information at sunderland.gov.uk: www.sunderland.gov.uk/fuel-fund