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.

Energy cards will require online activation, so you will need:

• an email address
• a mobile phone capable of receiving a one-time security passcode
• internet access.

If you do not have these available, select food only support in the application. Food vouchers do not require online activation and can be issued by post or emailed to you.

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.

If you need support completing an application, contact Citizens Advice on 03003 04 80 03 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

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.

If you do not have access to a smart mobile phone or struggle with internet access, we recommend you select the food voucher only option in the application as these can printed and sent to you by post if necessary.

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 contact us:

• email: kcc-hsffoodandenergysupport@kent.gov.uk
• call: 03000 41 24 24 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm).

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.

Energy cards can only be used to make a payment directly to your named energy supplier. Once you have activated your card, you can use it as you would a debit card to make an online payment or over-the-phone payment to your energy supplier. (You will need to provide the 16 digit card number, expiry date and 3-digit CVV code which appears when you have activated the card online).

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.

Pension Credit

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

Household Support Fund

Our Household Support Fund scheme supports vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs. If you qualify, we will issue your household with vouchers to the value of £100 which can be redeemed towards food, energy or both.

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.

Or visit the government's cost of living hub for further information.