Pensioners facing winter hardship offered help

Changes to eligibility for financial help this winter could cause hardship for older people, said Kent council's leader

Financial support to help Kent pensioners cope with "significantly rising living costs" this winter has opened for applications.

The Just Missing Out scheme, run by Kent County Council, provides £200 vouchers which can be redeemed for food, energy, or both.

Pension-aged residents on lower incomes who are not eligible for Pension Credit or the government’s Winter Fuel Payment can apply.

Council leader Roger Gough said people were facing "real hardship" this winter.

Who can apply?

"We think it is really important to ensure that there is support for those people who are going to be really affected by what’s happened with the Winter Fuel Allowance and who are not eligible for Pension Credit," he said.

"There are an awful lot of older people in Kent who don’t qualify for pension credit, but are just at that level above it.

"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.

"So the focus will very much be ensuring those older people can be in a much better situation than would otherwise have been the case."

The scheme allows Kent residents to apply themselves, or a professional, friend or family member can apply on their behalf.