£1m help announced for Essex pensioners as part of £9.4m fund

Help with energy bills available from Essex County Council (Image by Steven from Pixabay

Essex County Council has announced a £1 million support offer for pensioners this winter as part of a £9.4 million package.

Funding totalling £9.4 million has been allocated to the council from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund.

The funding, which runs to 31 March 2025, will be used to support households which may otherwise struggle with things like energy costs, buying groceries or paying household bills.

Funding will be available through different access points including the Essential Living Fund, food support groups, community supermarkets and local voluntary and community sector organisations, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

As well as specific support for pensioners, funding for families in receipt of free school meals will continue, in addition to targeted support for young carers and care leavers.

Key areas of support include:

£4.5 million for the Essential Living Fund to help with emergency crisis situations
£2.8 million for winter vouchers for families in receipt of free school meals
£1 million targeted to support low-income pensioners with core costs over the winter months via the Essential Living Fund
£250,000 for food support groups
£150,000 for Citizens Advice Bureaus to provide additional support and advice
£100,000 for voluntary and community groups
£80,000 for community supermarkets
£37,500 for young carers in Essex
£42,500 for care leavers’ winter hampers and vouchers
£40,000 for marketing and communications to signpost residents to available support
£10,000 to support winter warmth schemes working in collaboration with Essex Libraries

Residents are also urged to contact the Essential Living Fund if they are struggling financially at www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund. The fund can support with: