WILTSHIRE pensioners could soon receive £300 in cash vouchers through the post.

A new support scheme has been launched by Wiltshire Council – via the Household Support Fund from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) – to provide financial support to eligible pensioner households.

Households eligible for Wiltshire Council’s Targeted Older Person Energy Support scheme will be sent a letter containing a Post Office cash voucher worth £300.

The council has identified more than 1,200 households to receive the payment from the Household Support Fund 6, which are home to people of pensionable age, who are not eligible for the Government £300 Winter Fuel Allowance and are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

Additionally, they will either be: in receipt of a Disabled Band Reduction in their Council Tax liability, or receive an Adult Social Care package, or are aged 80 years and over.

People do not need to apply for this payment, eligible households have been identified and will receive a letter through the post.

To claim this payment recipients simply need to follow the instructions in the letter, telling them to take the letter to any Post Office branch with one of the forms of ID listed, within three months of the letter date.

Meanwhile, people are being warned of texts circulating, pretending to be government announcements asking people to apply to your local council for a replacement winter fuel payment.

If in doubt, please contact the Wellbeing Hub – via email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 0300 003 4576 Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm, Friday between 9am and 4pm. There is a voicemail option outside office hours.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health at Wiltshire Council, said: “Following the announcement of the Household Support Fund 6, we reviewed allocations of previous funding and changes to government guidance. Earlier allocations of the Household Support Fund have been distributed to families, disabled people, and older adults through more than ninety different schemes.

“I’m really pleased that officers at the council have identified this group for support, bringing this scheme to those most in need across our county.

“This additional support will provide these pensionable households assistance towards heating costs and other household bills during the ongoing cost of living challenges.”