More than a quarter of a million pounds aimed at supporting people experiencing fuel poverty has been claimed across Manchester, with a final call for people to come and make a claim.*
At the end of 2024 the Council announced a Winter Hardship Fund for eligible residents which would allow them to claim up to £200 to help cover the cost of energy bills.
To date, the Council has used its full allocation of this fund, distributing £263,000 to more than 1,000 households.
This fund has been the latest initiative of the Council’s in its bid to alleviate the worst of the cost-of-living crisis. Over the past two years the Council has spent millions of pounds rolling out a wide range of schemes aimed at helping people who have been hit the hardest.
Ranging from providing meals for school-age children, to helping pay fuel bills, to connecting people electronically, we want to make sure that people know that two years on, help is still available.
To date the Council has:
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Provided 46,000 free school meals during the holidays over the past 12 months
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Directed more than £1m of supplies to community foodbanks and groups since 2022, spending an additional £155,000 on food-related support for residents
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Connected with close to 14,000 people via our Cost-of-Living Advice Line since October 2022
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Distributed more than 2,000 phones, laptops or computers to people who may be digitally excluded, as well as providing more than 7,000 SIM cards since 2020.
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Made £1.9m in grant payments to nearly 1,200 residents to help them stay in their homes; an additional 2,359 discretionary payments have been made during 2023-24.
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Issued £1m in grant funding to 70 voluntary and community organisations who last year were able to help around 54,000 residents.
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The Holiday Activity Fund, which provides free activities as well as a free meal to children during the holidays as seen more than 24,000 children attend during half terms and summer holidays.
While there is still a lot more that can be done, the Council hopes that this shows that there is always support available for people who need it and that help is often just a phone call away.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The response to our Winter Hardship Fund has been overwhelming, and it just goes to show how important it was that we launched this initiative.
“Even though we have helped more than 2,000 people and spent more than £250,000 I would still ask people who have not already done so to get in touch with us to claim money which could make a significant impact to help pay their bills.
“This also goes to demonstrate the value in the range of other support and assistance that we have been providing since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis. These have been a difficult number of years and it has been hard to see the depth of its impact. However, as a Council we have been resolute in finding ways to help people and mitigate the worst of its effects.
“Help is there and for anyone struggling I would urge them to call our cost-of-living support line on 0800 023 2692.”
Useful Information:
*For people to be eligible to make a claim on the Hardship Fund they must:
Be aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024 and will not receive a winter fuel payment from the department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Not be in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit from the Council. If you receive either and are aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024, you will be sent a payment automatically by the Council and do not need to complete this form.
Live within the area covered by Manchester City Council. If you aren't sure, you can check your postcode.
Breakdown of Winter Hardship Fund spend:
We have paid 1,268 under 80 households £150 payments = £190,200
We have paid 364 80+ households £200 payments = £72,800
Total 1,632 payments = £263k
From the launch of the scheme on 18 November 2024 to the 23rd Feb 2025 we have received a total of 2,294 applications.
Cost of Living Advice Line: 0800 023 2692, free to call, line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.