Oldham Council has announced a multi-million-pound emergency package of measures to support those most in need this winter.
As part of the package, payments will be available to people who can’t afford to heat their homes, food vouchers will be given to families who have children eligible for free school meals over Christmas and local charities and community groups will be given resources to help people.
This will include tens of thousands of pounds being given to Oldham Foodbank to help stock their shelves while £200,000 will be distributed to charities, community groups and faith organisations, allowing them to buy warm clothes and essentials to provide to people who use their services.
In total, the total package of support is worth nearly £2.5m.
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The council is also urging Oldham pensioners to check if they are entitled to pension credit so they can get more money and receive the winter fuel payment.
Oldham Council estimates there could be as much as £7.8m sitting in Treasury coffers that is available to Oldham pensioners due to unclaimed pension credit as more than 3,200 people are not claiming what they are entitled to.
Cllr Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “We have a simple message to everyone in Oldham this winter: do not go cold or hungry.
“We’ve worked with our partners to draw up this multi-million-pound package of support to make sure that whenever possible, anyone who needs help will receive it.
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"As well as providing support directly to our residents we're aiming to help them maximise their income. Pension credits are an example of this where millions are going unclaimed that people can rightfully take. There's no stigma attached to this and we want the message to be clear - if you are eligible then this is your money to have and spend on what you like.
“Even if you think you're not eligible for support you should check to make sure. If you aren't eligible then there are still other ways we can help. Our teams are here to offer advice and guidance so please reach out to us."
According to the council, the cash boost has come from the government’s Household Support Fund, which aims to support vulnerable households in need and will supplement the council’s wider ongoing work to support residents at risk from the cost of living and address poverty.
Residents struggling with costs and wanting to find out more about the range of support available should call the council on the Oldham Helpline: 0161 770 7007, which is manned from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, or visit www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp.
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