LAST September, Basildon Council launched the Warm Homes Guarantee, dedicating £100,000 to assist 1,000 pensioner households with their energy bills during the winter months.

So far, 259 households have received £100 each through the Warm Homes Guarantee, totalling £25,900 in support.

The initiative began with visits to all 47 council-owned sheltered housing schemes, along with events at local libraries, community centres, and through an Outreach bus, ensuring that pensioners across the borough were aware of the support available to them.

Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, said: "This initiative is about supporting our community. I'm delighted to see families, friends, and neighbours coming together to ensure that no eligible Basildon pensioner misses out on this vital support, allowing them to face winter with help at hand."

"Through our various schemes, we've helped over 400 pensioner households—nearly 1,000 pensioners—this winter."

In addition to the Warm Homes Guarantee, hundreds of residents have received guidance on how to apply for Pension Credit or other forms of support, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax assistance, Discretionary Housing Payments, and help from the Fuel Poverty helpline.

At outreach events, 90 pensioner households were assisted with applications for Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Allowance. Since October 2024, the council reached out to 493 pensioners whose benefits indicated they may be eligible for Pension Credit. As a result, 97 of these residents are now receiving both Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Allowance.

Cllr Callaghan added: "I'm extremely proud of the work we've done in Basildon to support vulnerable pensioners in staying warm this winter. While we've made great strides, the fact that so many pensioners have been helped to claim benefits they didn't know they were entitled to shows we're on the right path."