Pensioners to be given vouchers as cost of living payments issued | Personal Finance | Finance

Pensioners in Derbyshire are set to receive cost-of-living vouchers in the coming months to help with costs. The vouchers will be distributed in autumn 2025 to “low-income pensioners” and “adults who receive home care” by Derbyshire County Council through its Household Support Fund.

The council said more information about distribution dates will be shared when it’s available. This comes in addition to a host of new financial support on offer through its fund this year, including new supermarket vouchers to be handed to certain households with children in June 2025 and January 2026.

To qualify for supermarket vouchers, households must meet one of the following criteria: have children receiving benefit-related free school meals; have children in early years settings (such as nurseries or pre-schools) who receive funded childcare for eligible two-year-olds; receive the Early Years Pupil Premium for three- and four-year-olds; or be care leavers up to the age of 21 living independently.

Additionally, Derbyshire households facing financial difficulties can apply for extra payments through the council’s Discretionary Fund to help with the food and energy costs. Payments are £65 per household, plus an extra £15 will be provided for each partner or spouse, and each dependent child.

To claim one of these extra payments, people must be receiving a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or Income Support. The full list of qualifying benefits, along with the link to apply, can be found here.

According to the council, households can access up to two awards in a 12-month period.

The Government extended the Household Support Fund scheme for another year, adding £742million to the pot, which is allocated to local authorities across England to share out to constituents. The pot is available from April 1, 2025, until March 31, 2026.

Councils in England decide how best to allocate their portion of the fund, with the amount received based on the size of the population within their catchment area and its needs.

This makes it important for Britons to check their local authority’s website or call their office to see what’s available. Right now, most councils are still deciding how they’ll allocate this year’s funding, but some have made announcements.

For example, households in Blackpool who are struggling with energy bills can claim up to £300 through Blackpool Council’s fund.

People can use this postcode checker to find out which council they fall under.