Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme

You will be eligible for assistance if you:

• or a partner living with you is aged 66 or over
• are a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley, or Bromley)
• have an annual household income (before tax) of more than £11,343.80 (£17,313.40 for a joint household income) and below £40,000
• do not have more than £1000 in savings
• are not in receipt of Pension Credit.

If you qualify, we will issue your household with vouchers to the value of £200 which can be redeemed towards food, energy or both.

You will need to provide an email address and have online access for energy support activation. Food vouchers will not require online activation and can be issued by email or post.

Apply

Apply for the scheme

Once you've submitted an application, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. A further email will be sent to applicants once your application has been approved or declined (referrers will not receive this).

Owing to demand, it may take up to 20 working days to process an application. This is not a crisis response service so if you need immediate assistance, check the other places to get help section for further advice.

If you have submitted an application but haven't received a confirmation email, it's possible that we don't have your correct contact details. If you have checked your junk mail folder and still haven't received a confirmation email for your application, call 03000 41 24 24 so that we can verify your details. If we are unable to contact you, your application may be closed.

Professional applications

If you're a professional supporting 6 or more people, email kcc-hsffoodandenergysupport@kent.gov.uk and we'll send you a template to submit several applications in one go.

Appeal a decision

If we have declined your application within the last 7 days and you feel the decision should be reviewed, email kcc-hsffoodandenergysupport@kent.gov.uk to appeal, giving as much information as possible about why you feel the decision should be reviewed.

Receiving your voucher

If your application is successful, you will receive voucher(s) which will be sent via email for energy vouchers and either by email or post for food vouchers, based on what you request in your application. The total value of your vouchers will be £200, which you can use towards food, energy, or both, depending on what you asked for support with in your application.

Read more about how to claim your voucher.

Vouchers are usually issued to eligible applicants within 20 working days. If you are expecting a voucher but haven't received it, check your spam and junk folders. If it still hasn't been received, call us on 03000 41 24 24 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm) or email kcc-hsffoodandenergysupport@kent.gov.uk.

Redeeming your voucher

Food vouchers can only be used for online delivery shopping at a limited number of supermarkets, which are listed on the application form.

Voucher expiry

The e-voucher expiry date will be dependent on the retailer chosen. We advise you to use your voucher as soon as possible as they cannot be reissued.

Winter food and energy support scheme

There will be a food and/or energy support scheme opening early in 2025 to support vulnerable low-income households with rising food and energy costs.

Further details on how to apply and the scheme eligibility criteria will be made available on this webpage in early January.

Pension Credit

For help and guidance on eligibility and to apply for Pension Credit, visit our Pension Credit page.

Other support

If you have money worries or are looking for ways you can make your money go further, we can help you to find your way through to the advice and support available.

Via our cost of living support pages you can:

• check if you are eligible for any benefits
• get advice about how to reduce energy use and who to contact for help paying bills
• use our help and support finder to find help available with food, Council Tax, clothing, childcare and much more.

You can also visit the government's cost of living hub for further information.