STRUGGLING pensioners could get a £200 cash boost to help cover energy costs this winter.
The help comes via the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need.
Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
And now people aged 66 years or older who live in Islington can apply for a £200 voucher to help pay for things like food and energy bills.
To qualify for the support you must be on a low income and receive pension credit.
Pension Credit gives you extra money if you claim the State Pension and are on a low income.
To be eligible for the support, you must be of state pension age and live in the London borough.
If your application is successful you will get £200 as a one-off payment.
The money will be sent by the Post Office and you will get a letter that tells you how to collect the money.
You can get the money sent to your bank account, but you must upload a bank statement with your name and address when you apply.
Once all the money has been given out, the council will close applications.
With that in mind, it might be better to apply sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.
To apply visit Islington.gov.uk and search for Household Support Fund applications.
What if I don’t live in Islington?
The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England.
So, if you don’t live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits, you will likely be eligible for help.
The amount you receive depends on where you live.
For example, households in Doncaster can apply for support worth £300.
While, families in Nottingham can apply for £98 energy vouchers and £75 supermarket vouchers.
Meanwhile, if you are of state pension age you could also be entitled to a £300 cash boost to put towards your energy bill.
Payments are set to land in accounts from November, but many will also receive the money in December.
Better yet, anyone who was born before September 22 1959 and live in England or Wales can receive the payment.
For more information on how to claim, you can visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over state pension age and on a low income.
You might also get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension credit tops up your weekly state pension income to £227.10 if you are single or to £346.60 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £82.90 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.30 for single people or £19.36 for couples.
Claims for pension credit also open doors to a number of freebies and discounts.
For example, pension credit claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence worth up to £174.50 a year.
