As winter temperatures start to fall, Bolton residents struggling with the cost of living can access a comprehensive package of help.
The support is underpinned by the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) which has provided Bolton with £2.78m until next year.
This is the sixth wave of grant funding which adds to the £16.68m already allocated to Bolton since HSF was introduced in 2021.
In line with its new anti-poverty strategy, Bolton Council has prioritised the spend targeting longer term solutions.
This includes providing help to reduce fuel consumption and bills, personal financial advice, creating better paid employment, and other sustainable initiatives.
Bolton’s package support includes warm spaces, a cost-of-living information service, advice and offers online, the Extra Care Register, plus other targeted help.
Warm Spaces have reopened across the borough including at Bolton Libraries and many other partner venues which are listed on the national Warm Spaces website at www.warmwelcome.uk.
The Warm Spaces in Bolton Libraries are open during normal opening times including Saturdays, and visitors can get a free hot drink, warm up, chat with staff and get advice on how to get help with food, fuel and finances, plus there are free activities such as reading, group events or using free Wi-Fi and computer access.
Information and support with the cost of food, energy and household essentials is available on the council website.
Some residents are dependent on a continual supply of heating and electricity, and a failure in supply can cause serious risks to their health and wellbeing, and while power cuts are rare they can occur with little or no warning as seen after recent storms.
However, the free Extra Care Register has been set up by Electricity North West to protect these vulnerable residents, so when a power cut arises they can provide the emergency support needed, and residents can register for free at www.enwl.co.uk/extracare or by calling 0800 008 3015
Bolton Councillors have also agreed to contribute unspent money from their neighbourhood budgets to provide £200 payments to pensioners that are affected by the removal of the Winter Fuel payments, but are just above the Pension Credit entitlement threshold.
All pensioners are urged to check if they are entitled to Pension Credit as depending on entitlement it may increase their income by £3,900 on average.
More information is available at bolton.gov.uk/benefits/pension-credit.
The overall package of support for Bolton includes:
- Supermarket vouchers to the value of £15 for each child in households of families eligible for free school meals
- Emergency support with food parcels, gas and electric payments, travel costs and accessing household essentials such as cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines
- Extra money for Bolton’s Fund, which enables more local organisations to provide cost of living essentials in the local community
- Investment in the Money Skills and Care & Repair Services to support Bolton residents with the provision of free debt advice and help with energy costs
- Direct support to Care Leavers, Foster Carers and Carers
- Opening up of Warm Spaces in the winter, providing comfortable places for residents to escape the cold and meet, chat and get specialist help
- Emergency funding to help those in genuine need with housing costs
All residents can ask for support, including those not on benefits and anyone who has not previously received cost of living support.
Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, said:
“While inflation has eased, there is still a huge number of people in Bolton struggling to cope with paying household bills and for life’s essentials.
“The Household Support Funding has been a vital lifeline for many in Bolton, yet despite the support on offer many people still do not claim all the benefits they are entitled to.
“I urge everyone to double check what support is available to them, especially hard hit pensioners.
“Many pensioners are no longer entitled to the Winter Fuel payments, but I’m delighted that my fellow councillors joined me in agreeing to fund £200 to support eligible residents.”