Thousands of state pensioners in the East Midlands are set to receive a vital financial boost this weekend, with two free payments worth a total of £173 becoming available through a government support scheme.
Financial Support for Older Residents
The Department for Work and Pensions has allocated funding through its Household Support Fund, which is being administered by Nottinghamshire County Council to help older residents facing financial pressure.
The council has confirmed that 6,000 supermarket vouchers worth £75 each are available, alongside 3,000 energy support vouchers valued at £98 each. This creates a potential total support package of £173 for successful applicants.
Application Window Details
The application system has undergone significant changes to make it fairer for all residents. Applications opened on 3 November 2025 at 10:00am and will remain open until midnight on Sunday 9 November 2025.
This is particularly important as the council has stated that this will be the only application period open until January 2026, covering both November and December support.
The council has moved away from the first-come, first-served approach. Instead, all eligible applicants will have an equal chance of receiving vouchers through a random selection process after the application window closes.
What Happens Next?
Residents who apply during the week-long window will receive confirmation of their application status by Friday 14 November. Successful applicants should receive their vouchers by 21 December 2025.
For those who aren't successful in this round, another opportunity will be available in the new year. The council has scheduled an additional application window from 5 to 11 January 2026.
The council encourages residents who struggle with online applications to seek help from family, friends, or local community organisations to ensure they don't miss this crucial support opportunity.
