Support to help you through winter

Benefits and rent, debts or bills, food or staying warm

Call Manchester City Council’s Cost of Living advice line for free on 0800 023 2696. Lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm. For more information, you can also text 07860022876 or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/coladvice

Find a warm welcome space

It’s important you stay warm in winter, but we understand that may not be possible all the time for everyone.

If you’re looking for somewhere to get warm, and also connect with your community, you can find your local warm welcome space by visiting www.warmwelcome.uk

Foodbanks

The rise in energy costs can have an affect on your finances. That might mean you can’t afford the same amount of groceries you usually would do.

If you’re struggling to afford food and basic necessities, you may be able to get support from a local foodbank. For most foodbanks, you will need to be referred by a professional, like a social worker, health visitor or a GP, but there are some foodbanks you do not need a referral for. To find a foodbank near you, click here

Free school meals

If your area is in the area covered by Manchester City Council and you claim benefits, your child may be eligible for free school meals. If you do not live in an area covered by Manchester City Council, check your local council to see what funding may be available.

Free school meals are also available for all children in reception, year 1 and year 2, whatever your income, and for children younger than the compulsory age for starting school (5) but in full-time education.

For more information on free school meals, click here.

School holidays

Families with children who are able to get free school meals will receive the following payments for each eligible child during the school holidays to help fight hunger:

• £30 for the Christmas holiday period
• £15 for the spring 2025 half-term

Please contact your child’s school for more details about free school meals support during the holidays.

Healthy start

The NHS Healthy Start scheme allows families who claim benefits to get money towards buying healthy food and vitamins. If you’re eligible, you can get a pre-paid Healthy Start card that will be topped up each month.

To apply for the scheme, you must be over 10 weeks pregnant or have children under the age of four. You must also be receiving a qualifying benefit.

For more information on the NHS Healthy Start scheme, visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Pension Credit

If you are state pension age and your weekly income is less than the minimum amount the government says you need to live on, you will be eligible to claim Pension Credit.

To check if you qualify for Pension Credit, you can call charity Independent Age for free on 0800 319 6789. Lines are open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm. You can also visit www.independentage.org.

Pension Credit is a very important benefit because it gives access to other benefits, such as social tariffs, the Warm House Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills, and now the Winter Fuel Payment. Lots of people who qualify for it aren’t claiming it, so it’s worth checking if you can get it. You need to apply for Pension Credit by 21 December.

Extra support for pensioners

Manchester City Council has identified pensioners who receive Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but have not qualified for Winter Fuel Payment. These pensioners will automatically receive direct payments of £150 or £200 if aged 80 or over.

You don’t need to do anything –payments go straight into the bank account the Council has details of, or will be paid in Post Office vouchers.

Hardship fund

Manchester City Council has created a new Hardship Fund for pensioners in need who will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment, and don’t get the automatic payment mentioned above.

Under this scheme, those people aged 66–79 may be eligible for £150 payments. Those aged 80 or over may be entitled to £200. Referrals will be made through Manchester City Council’s Cost of Living advice line by calling 0800 023 2692. Lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am–4.30pm, or you can visit www.manchester.gov.uk/coladvice

There are also £100 automatic payments for households in receipt of Council Tax Support where at least one person receives disability benefits.

Free vaccinations for over 65’s

This year, there are three main breathing conditions that could make you or your loved ones seriously ill. People aged 65 and over may be eligible for free vaccinations against these illnesses.

• Flu – 65+. Available now. You can make an appointment for a flu vaccine when you are contacted by your GP practice, ask in your local pharmacy for the jab or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab
• Covid – 65+. Available now. Call 0161 947 0770 / 0800 092 4020 to book an appointment, or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) = aged 75-79. Please wait for your GP to contact you about an RSV vaccine.