Vulnerable residents get £1m fuel and food boost

The support scheme will include vouchers for food or energy

Vulnerable older people in Kent who face "difficult decisions about energy or food" this winter are to benefit from an extra £1m in support.

Kent County Council is hoping to use the money, issued by the Department of Work and Pensions, to provide targeted support to older people who are struggling financially and miss out on qualifying to receive pension credit and the fuel allowance.

The winter fuel payment was previously paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills, but in July the government said the payment would now only be made to those on low incomes who received certain benefits.

The council's support scheme includes vouchers for food or energy depending on a person's needs.

Council leader Roger Gough said: “This support is aimed at those who will experience real pressure throughout the winter and may have to make difficult decisions about energy or food."

Gough urged residents who could be entitled to claim pension credit payments to make sure they are signed up as soon as possible.

The council has said there could be as much as £68million unclaimed in Kent, with about 18,000 eligible households not getting the support.