Pensioners urged to look out for letters sent out this week about free £200 help

Low-income households can apply to their local councils for emergency support to help with essentials like food, energy and water bills.

The scheme aims to support those most in need, including families with children, pensioners, unpaid carers and disabled people.

Local councils are managing the distribution of these vital funds, with residents needing to apply directly through their local authority.

Anyone can apply for support, but applicants typically need to demonstrate they are struggling to afford basic necessities.

Most councils limit households to one payment every 12 months to ensure the help reaches as many people as possible.

Full details of local schemes and eligibility criteria can be found on individual council websites.

In West Sussex, Adur and Worthing Councils are this week sending letters to 200 pensioner households about £200 supermarket vouchers.

The vouchers will be emailed to residents 14 days after receiving their letter.

The councils are targeting households that missed out on Winter Fuel Payments due to falling just outside Pension Credit eligibility criteria.

The vouchers, provided through organisation Huggg, can be used in most major supermarkets for groceries and household items.

In Birmingham, residents can also access grants of up to £200 per household through their local HSF scheme.

Birmingham City Council states the funds are “intended to help households with everyday household essentials such as energy and food.”

The council emphasises that receiving these grants will not impact any other benefits residents may be receiving or entitled to.

The support is provided through Department for Work and Pensions funding to assist those most in need with essentials.

Councillor Sharon Sluman, Adur’s cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “There is a lot of support available for people struggling with the cost of living, but we know that there are many retired people who fall just shy of claiming Pension Credit and will miss out on Winter Fuel Payments this year.”

Councillor Dom Ford, Worthing’s cabinet member for communities, added: “The cost of living is still having an impact on people’s day-to-day lives, with food and energy costs continuing to increase.

“These vouchers can be used in most major supermarkets and will help take some of the worry away.”

Other councils across the UK are offering similar support schemes through the HSF.

Camden Council is providing up to £500 in cost of living assistance for residents unable to afford essentials like food or housing, with amounts based on household circumstances.

Blackpool Council has implemented a tiered system, offering £200 for households of one or two people and £300 for larger families.

These payments are made directly to energy or water suppliers, appearing as credits on bills or prepay meters.