Key Points
- Preston City Council has launched a new financial support scheme offering up to £100 per household to assist vulnerable pensioners with food and fuel costs
- The scheme is available to pensioners who currently receive Council Tax Support but are not in receipt of Pension Credit
- The initiative was launched in October 2025 in response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting older residents
- Eligible residents can apply through the Council's online form, with applications also accepted on behalf of pensioners
- Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Communities at Preston City Council, emphasised the scheme is designed to offer "quick and meaningful relief" to struggling older residents
- The scheme represents part of broader UK government support for pensioners, which includes Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments
- Applications are being encouraged from all residents who believe they may qualify for the support
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Preston City Council has launched a new cost-of-living support scheme offering up to £100 per household to help vulnerable pensioners afford essential food and fuel expenses. As reported by Central Radio News on 7 March 2026, the scheme targets pensioners who receive Council Tax Support but are not eligible for Pension Credit, addressing the rising financial pressures facing older residents across the city.
What financial support is Preston City Council providing to vulnerable pensioners?
As reported by Central Radio News, a new scheme offering up to £100 per household to assist with the cost of food and fuel is available to pensioners who currently receive Council Tax Support but are not in receipt of Pension Credit. According to Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Communities at Preston City Council, "We recognise the rising financial pressures facing many older residents, and this support has been designed to offer quick and meaningful relief." The scheme was launched last October by Preston City Council to ensure that some of the city's most vulnerable residents can access help with essential expenses during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
How can eligible Preston pensioners apply for the £100 support scheme?
As reported by Central Radio News, eligible residents can submit their application quickly and easily through the Council's online form. The application process is designed to be accessible to all eligible pensioners, with provisions made for applications to be completed by someone else on the applicant's behalf, provided the bank details submitted belong to the pensioner receiving the support. Preston City Council is actively encouraging applications from anyone who believes they may qualify, with further information and application details available through the Council's Cost-of-Living Support portal.
What is the broader context of UK pensioner support during the cost-of-living crisis?
The Preston scheme forms part of a wider national response to financial hardship affecting older residents. According to government data released in February 2026, almost 1.5 million households have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December, with over £35 million paid to vulnerable households across England and Wales this winter. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has implemented multiple support mechanisms, including Winter Fuel Payments of between £100 and £300 for eligible pensioners, plus an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment during winter months. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden stated that "This support is a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet. Combined with our wider cost of living support – including a higher National Living Wage, £150 off energy bills, and a £300 Winter Fuel Payment for over nine million pensioners - these measures are making a real difference to households across the country."
Which pensioners are ineligible for the Preston scheme and why?
The Preston City Council scheme specifically targets pensioners who receive Council Tax Support but are not in receipt of Pension Credit. This eligibility criteria means the scheme is designed to support those who fall into a gap where they do not qualify for Pension Credit—a more comprehensive benefit that could be worth on average £3,900 per year for those over State Pension Age (66+ years)—but still require additional financial assistance. The scheme therefore focuses on pensioners whose income levels place them above Pension Credit thresholds but below levels necessary for comfortable living during the cost-of-living crisis.
What wider cost-of-living support measures are available to UK residents?
Beyond the Preston-specific scheme, the UK government has implemented comprehensive cost-of-living support across multiple areas. As reported by government announcements in February 2026, support includes a £150 reduction on energy bills, the freezing of rail fares, and a new £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund. Additionally, the Department for Work and Pensions has undertaken a landmark transformation of housing support for pensioners, with Housing Benefit merging into Pension Credit from 1 January 2026, providing pensioners with a single point of access for rent support. The government has committed to providing a dedicated helpdesk from early 2026 and extra support for the "oldest old" and disabled pensioners to help navigate these changes.
How does Preston's initiative compare with other local authority support schemes?
Preston City Council's £100 support scheme aligns with similar initiatives being implemented by other local authorities across England. Richmond upon Thames, for example, has allocated £4.5 million to supporting residents with rising costs, including offering £100 to all pensioners who receive a Council Tax Reduction but are not eligible for Pension Credit. Richmond also ran a Fuel Grant Scheme providing grants of up to £170 for eligible residents, with 1,326 households in the borough granted £170 each which was deducted from their energy bills via their utility company. These parallel schemes demonstrate a coordinated local and national approach to addressing pensioner poverty during the cost-of-living crisis.
What support services are available to help Preston residents maximise their financial assistance?
Beyond direct financial payments, organisations operating in Preston provide comprehensive support to help residents access available assistance. Places for People, which operates Advice and Support services in Lancashire including Preston, offers support through its Money Advice Team and Financial Inclusion Team. Services include maximising income through benefit take-up, help with budgeting, applying for funding and grants, signposting to specialist support services such as debt advice or local welfare support, and assistance with benefit queries relating to Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. This additional support helps ensure that eligible residents not only access the £100 scheme but also identify other financial assistance they may be entitled to receive.