Anyone who is struggling with food, bills, benefits, rent, debt, or other financial issues this winter is being urged to ring Manchester City Council’s cost of living advice line on 0800 023 2692.
The advice line – which is a freephone number, is open from Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm and gives callers access to a team who will offer support or signpost to the right services.
They can also help by giving information on places where people can meet, have a hot drink, and stay out of the cold.
Known as ‘warm welcome spaces’ these areas include the city’s libraries, where support also includes free hot drinks, free Wi-Fi, free data SIM cards. Other community and volunteer-run spaces are taking part, too, and their venues are also free to attend, and people can stay as long as they like. To find one near you visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice
In addition to this, the Council is also encouraging pension age residents (aged 66+) to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit, which needs to be claimed by December 21 2024.
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.
To see if you’re eligible for Pension Credit call the charity Independent Age on 0800 319 6789 for a free benefits check. Before calling, you’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, including your pensions
- details of your savings and investments
- your bank account details.
For more information on Pension Credit visit manchester.gov.uk/credit
However, if you aren’t eligible for pension credit and won’t receive the Winter Fuel payments, you may still be able to get support from Manchester City Council.
The council has identified nearly 5,000 households where pensioners live who receive Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but are not qualified for winter fuel payments.
From November, these households will automatically receive direct payments from the Council – £150 for an estimated 3,918 households where people are aged 66-79, and £200 for 858 households, where people are aged 80 or over. People in this category do not need to do anything – payments will be made directly to their bank accounts where the Council has details, or in Post Office Vouchers.
The Council is also expanding its existing welfare provision scheme with a hardship fund specifically for pensioners who are in-need and will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment, but have not been identified for the automatic payment.
Again, those aged 66-79 will be eligible for £150 payments and those 80 or over for £200. Referrals for this will be made through the cost of living advice line from 18 November 2024 or visit manchester.gov.uk/credit
There are also £100 automatic payments for households in receipt of Council Tax Support where at least one person receives disability benefits.
If you’re eligible for free Covid and Flu jabs this winter via the NHS Winter booster offer, please remember to get your jabs so you have the best protection this winter. To find out if your eligible for free flu and covid boosters visit manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab
For details of walk-in vaccination clinics near you visit manchester.gov.uk/walkins
Pharmacists in Manchester are also helping out with Winter wellbeing and cost of living support advice, by attaching 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.”
So, if you need support this winter, call Manchester’s Cost of Living Advice Line on 0800 023 2692 from 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday or text: 07860 022876 or visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice
