THREE new initiatives to support older residents this winter have been announced by Hillingdon Council.

The plans were unveiled by leader Cllr Ian Edwards at a council meeting last night (26) in response to the cut in winter fuel payments announced by the Government.

Hillingdon will use some of the £2m Household Support Fund it has been allocated under the latest extension of the scheme to: 

  • commission a charity, or other third party, to reach out to all pensioners in the borough and assist those that may be entitled to Pension Credit, to submit a claim. Pensioners who may need support to navigate the online application system will receive help directly in their homes
  • prioritise pensioner tenants for energy efficiency improvements planned for the borough’s housing stock.
  • create a Pensioners’ Support Fund to help eligible older residents stay warm this winter, with further details to follow.

Cllr Edwards said: “Unfortunately, the council is not in a position to mitigate entirely the harms of the cut in winter fuel allowance for some of our most vulnerable residents, but we will be taking these important steps to help support the borough’s 13,000 pensioners this winter.

“The process to submit a claim for Pension Credit can be daunting and is structured mainly for online applications, which is not ideal for older people.

“This is why we’ll be providing on-hand support with applications, in their homes, to assist them as best we can.

“By making homes more energy efficient, we will permanently lower their energy bills.”