Thousands of pensioners could get up to £200 to help keep the lights on and cover soaring food costs

THOUSANDS of pensioners could get extra help to keep the lights on and cover the cost of soaring food prices.

Thanks to the Household Support Fund, elderly residents could get up to £200 worth of aid.

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Pensioners could get up to £200 thanks to the Household Support Fund[/caption]

It comes as the cost of the weekly shop rockets and energy bills go through the roof, amid a crushing cost of living crisis.

Rising inflation hasn’t helped, clobbering the poorest and most vulnerable as they struggling to decide between heating and eating.

The government stepped-in earlier in the year, pilling extra money into the Household Support Fund that it set up last October.

Another £500 million was added to the pot just months ago, so more families and low income households could benefit.

Then just last month, The Chancellor announced the current scheme would continue beyond September this year, as he extended the Household Support Fund AGAIN.

At the same time he also announced:

• a £650 one-off payment for Universal Credit and benefits
• a £300 one-off payment to low-income pensioners
• a £150 extra one-off disability payment
• and a £400 energy discount for EVERY household

One council is offering a gracious amount to its aging residents though.

Vulnerable residents in Knowsley will be eligible for financial support over the next year to help pay for household essentials and bills.

Approximately 6,000 residents that receive a state pension who also receive Pension Credit will benefit from the extra help.

Each was in line to get £103 from the council direct from the government’s scheme, but Knowsley is topping up that support to round off a sum of £200 per pensioner.

The money is to go toward heating costs, electricity costs, and food bills.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Councillor Jayne Aston said: “We are targeting our pensionable aged residents and I’m delighted to be able to confirm the £200 payment which will go some way to helping them over the coming months.

“It offers them the flexibility to use the funding where they will get the most benefit – whether that be to support them with fuel, food or other costs.”

Knowsley isn’t alone.

We’ve seen each council across the country offer up something different in support of struggling households, and eligibility rules can vary too.

Reading Council, for example, is giving its own pensioners energy vouchers worth £98, as well as families in the area a sum of £49 to help cover similar costs.

Eligible residents Norfolk can get £120 in food vouchers to cover meals for kids too, thanks to the council’s latest hand-out.

There’s £180 in support on offer for those living in Cornwall, and parents in Brighton and Hove could get £105 to cover essentials over the school breaks coming up this year.

Meanwhile, thousands of families in Middlesbrough could get £60 supermarket vouchers to help with soaring food costs

It’s best to check in with your own local authority though, to find out what may be up for grabs as well as how you can apply.