Supporting those struggling most in the community is a vital role of any local council. This comes into even sharper focus as we move towards winter, with the colder weather placing extra strain on household budgets.

We have been working to find out which older people will be most affected and what support we can offer, since the government announced the ending of winter fuel payments for all except those on Pension Credit.

For the most vulnerable, we are stepping in to provide winter fuel support, inviting pensioner households with incomes of less than £1,000 above the threshold for Pension Credit to claim a one-off payment up to £300 from our Household Support Fund, financed by the government. So far, more than 150 households have been identified.

We are also getting in touch with around 190 households we think may be eligible for Pension Credit and are not yet claiming it, to ensure they apply before the December 21 deadline, and also supporting the Department for Work and Pensions’ Credit campaign to raise awareness of the benefit and how to apply, sharing information through our voluntary sector networks and in printed and online materials.

This builds on our work to support vulnerable residents with keeping their homes warm in winter, such as the ‘Warm Homes, Better Health’ programme through the Thinking Works local organisation.

More information about this programme and other support for those at risk of fuel poverty can be found on the “Kingston.gov.uk” council website’s ‘cost of living support’ area.

Our Sustainable September campaign last month also highlighted actions we can take to make homes more energy efficient, helping to reduce bills and protect the environment. Information about this is on the council website’s “sustainable-September” page.

The council’s Adult Social Care teams are working to ensure all those on low incomes and in receipt of care packages are offered ‘benefit maximisation’ and financial ‘health checks’.

Our volunteers, groups, foodbanks and community kitchens work hard to offer food support to those who are struggling. More information in the ‘Emergency Food Supplies’ section on our ‘Cost of Living Support’ web pages.

Kingston Council is working to make sure no one falls through the cracks this winter by joining up our services and our thinking, making sure the elderly and most vulnerable in our community are at the centre of our priorities.