Around 4,700 pensioners in Bury are to be given £100 as local measures are agreed to help residents cope with the cost of living crisis.
The handout is set to be given to every pensioner in the borough who receives council tax benefit.
Bury Council has announced a range of measures to help people through immediate hardship but also to help them meet financial challenges in the medium and long term.
Last month the council provided school uniform vouchers of up to £50 per child to every family who qualifies for free school meals, a measure which cost the council around £240,000.
Free meals over the summer holidays will also be provided for families in need.
Other measures in Bury Council’s anti-poverty strategy include addressing food poverty by supporting the development of Bury Community Support Network, delivering the Fit and Fed holiday activity programme and developing cooking well for less sessions.
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The council will continue financial support to Citizen Advice Bureau in neighbourhoods and work to develop a money advice referral tool.
Coun Richard Gold, cabinet member for communities and finance, said: “People in Bury have been through a really tough time over the last couple of years with Covid, and are now facing huge challenges with the cost of living.
“This is being driven by high levels of inflation, with wages and benefits not keeping pace with matching price rises.
“This is particularly noticeable in relation to the increased costs of food and fuel, which have been driven by national and international factors.
“These pressures are not felt equally, and have a disproportionate impact on particular households.
“Our plan for post-pandemic recovery has to be about more than simply helping people get through the day-to-day struggle.
“We also need to put in place measures that will help people become more resilient over the long term.”
Coun Gold added: “We must firstly target resources at those most in need, but also support all residents to be aware of the broad range of advice and support they can access.
“This ranges from ways to maximise their income and claim the financial support and benefits they are entitled to, right down to helping people with advice on energy efficiency and cooking on a budget.
“Immediate action has to be matched to longer-term approaches which tackle the causes of poverty and inequality rather than just react to the symptoms of current pressures. We also need to look at improving people’s skills, so that they can get better work and be more able to weather the financial storms of the future.
“Crucial to the success of the strategy will be working with all our partners and community groups to get right down to street level and identify individuals and families who most need help.”
Councillors will consider the strategy when the cabinet meets next Wednesday, July 13.
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