Charity Independent Age has teamed up with Nottingham City Council to offer 400 fuel vouchers to eligible older people this month.
The vouchers, which are worth £50 off energy, are for people above state pension age who live in Nottingham City and receive a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. Eligible households can receive one voucher per household.
Independent Age warns that the need for these vouchers is ‘urgent’. It comes after news that the cost of energy for the typical household could soar to over £4,000 next April, when the price cap rises again. Food costs have also been driven up by over 14.5%* in the last year, placing additional strains on budgets.
The fuel vouchers can be used to take up to £50 off an energy bill. Older people can apply for by calling the Independent Age Nottingham office on 0115 811 4300 or emailing nottingham@independentage.org.
Kate Duncan, Community Services Manager at Independent Age in Nottingham said: “These vouchers will be a lifeline to older people who are anxious about the cost of living. We know that some people in later life in Nottingham now feel unable to turn on the heating due to the high cost, or even because of debts to energy companies. We want these vouchers to go some way to help older people who are facing a challenging winter.
“We urge anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who may be to contact our Nottingham office and find out more. The vouchers are first come first served and they are sitting here waiting for you!”
Distributing fuel vouchers is part of Independent Age Nottingham’s wider mission to support older people in the city. The charity aims to help local people over 65 feel confident and fulfilled by connecting them with friendship volunteers and local activities and services.
The fuel vouchers are part of the UK Government’s £1.5bn Household Support Fund, which has been distributed between local councils to help people with the cost of living this winter. Nottingham Council has used part of its allocation to give these fuel vouchers to charities, such as Independent Age, to support local people.