Hillingdon Council has recently announced three new initiatives aimed at supporting older residents in the borough during the winter season. These initiatives were introduced in response to the reduction in winter fuel payments by the Government.
Leader of the council, Cllr Ian Edwards, unveiled these plans during a council meeting held on the 26th of last month. The council plans to utilise a portion of the £2m Household Support Fund allocated to them to implement these initiatives.
The first initiative involves commissioning a charity or third-party organisation to reach out to all pensioners in the borough. The goal is to assist those who may be eligible for Pension Credit but have not yet claimed it. Many pensioners find the online application system for Pension Credit challenging, so the council will provide in-home support to help them navigate through the process.
The second initiative focuses on prioritising pensioner tenants for energy efficiency improvements in the housing stock across the borough. By making homes more energy-efficient, the council aims to reduce energy bills for older residents in the long term.
Lastly, the council plans to establish a Pensioners’ Support Fund to help eligible older residents stay warm during the winter months. More details about this fund will be shared in the near future.
Cllr Edwards emphasised the importance of these initiatives in supporting the 13,000 pensioners in the borough, especially those who may be struggling due to the cut in winter fuel payments. While the council may not be able to completely offset the impact of this reduction, these steps are crucial in providing assistance to vulnerable older residents.
He acknowledged that the process of applying for Pension Credit can be overwhelming, especially for older individuals who are not familiar with online applications. By offering in-home support for these applications, the council hopes to make the process more accessible and manageable for pensioners.
Overall, these initiatives demonstrate Hillingdon Council’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of older residents in the borough, particularly during the challenging winter months. Through these efforts, the council aims to provide practical support and assistance to those who need it most.
