*Manchester pharmacists already asked to give out leaflets attached to medicine bags to go out on home deliveries *Now the Council is appealing to its wider business community for similar action
A call out is underway to Manchester’s opticians and supermarkets – asking them to share the city’s bespoke helpline number for bills, heating and food support and also details around unclaimed Pension Credit and other wellbeing details with their customers.
Currently Manchester estimates that around 8,000 people in Manchester are not claiming the pension credits they are entitled to because they may feel that there is stigma attached to it.
Council bosses believe that around £24m in Pension Credit and associated support is currently unclaimed in Manchester each year.
Pension Credit is a valuable benefit - and crucially, it also unlocks other financial help such as full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. It also opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and now the Winter Fuel Payment.
Recent changes announced to the Winter Fuel Payment mean that eligible pensioners will miss out on this support if they don't claim Pension Credit before December 21.
Now businesses are being asked to help their customers by passing on Manchester’s Cost of Living advice line details and its information on claiming Pension Credit and other winter wellbeing details. Businesses can either do that by sharing content from Manchester City Council’s social feeds, or by emailing communications@manchester.gov.uk for materials with 'Winter Wellbeing' in the subject line.
Pharmacists in Manchester have already been approached in this way, to attach prescription-size flyers on Manchester’s free Cost of Living Advice line straight to medication bags for home deliveries. Some Manchester pharmacists also did this last year.
Karishma Visram, Communications and Engagement Lead for Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester said: “By being at the heart of local communities, pharmacies have a great opportunity to talk to people and signpost them to appropriate help and support. We strongly encourage pharmacies across Manchester to take part and help support their patients this winter."
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We know that Manchester’s business community want to show solidarity with their customers on some of the big challenges this Winter, which is why we are making this appeal. In particular, we're really concerned that some people might feel like they are being a burden, or that they are taking money they don't deserve. That's absolutely wrong: the system is there for a reason and it is money that has already been allocated to help people. We all have family members who have done so much for others but won't want to claim for themselves. We urge everyone with pension-age family or friends to encourage them to apply for the grant if they think they are eligible for it."
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care at Manchester City Council, said: "Those supportive networks are critical to a collaborative approach in Manchester, where we want to be as proactive as possible, including making sure that people know which vaccinations can help to protect their health this winter. Covid and flu can still make people very ill, so it's important that we as a city are ready with that help, along with other wellbeing details."
For further help related to bills, money and food support ring Manchester's Cost of Living Advice line on 0800 023 2692. Lines are open Monday -Friday from 9am to 4.30pm. Or text on 07860 022876. Manchester.gov.uk/coladvice.
For further information on winter vaccinations go to manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab.