Thousands who missed out on DWP Winter Fuel Payment to get one-off payment of £120

The move follows the government's decision to make the Winter Fuel Payment means tested from this winter, and the households identified as eligible will each receive a one of cost of living payment of £120

Thousands of pensioners are set to receive a one off £120 payment this winter to help with living costs.

The cost of living payments come from the Government-funded Household Support Fund scheme. Introduced by the former Tory government, the scheme provides local councils with pots of cash, which they then use to provide cost of living support to people in their areas.

Labour extended the scheme from September until April next year and councils and as each council offers different support, many have been confirming their plans over the last few weeks. Norfolk County Council confirmed what it was to do with its £6.7million worth of funding on Tuesday this week.

The Conservative-controlled council said it was going to use £1.15million of its funding to help residents in the area "keep warm". Of its cash pot, the council will use £750,000 to work with organisations and charities, such as Age UK and Citizens Advice Bureau, to identify pensioners who just missed out on eligibility for Pension Credit or have "higher than average" fuel costs due to a disability.

The move follows the government's decision to make the Winter Fuel Payment means tested from this winter, and the households identified will each receive a one of cost of living payment of £120.

The council is also putting aside £400,000 so libraries and museums can be places where people can head to keep warm and get free hot drinks. A further £1million is also going towards the council's Norfolk Assistance Scheme, which helps people with emergency financial support and household appliances, such as cookers, washing machines and beds.

Families eligible for means-tested free school means will also benefit from £3.6million going towards cost-of-living vouchers. The vouchers are worth £15 per month per child, with an extra £30 voucher issued in December for the Christmas holiday period. According to the council's website, The vouchers are provided by Edenred and can be used for food and groceries in store at the following supermarkets:

• Morrisons
• Tesco
• Sainsbury's
• Asda
• Waitrose
• M&S food
• McColl's (including RS McColl's and Martin's)
• Aldi

The Norfolk Assistance Scheme, which helps people with household goods and emergency financial support, will also get a £1million boost from the Household Support Fund. Norfolk County Council says the fund could help 50,000 households in Norfolk. Andrew Jamieson, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “There will be thousands of people who will miss the new cut-off by a small margin, leaving them without the means to pay for the cost of fuel. The council will make sure payments make their way quickly to those who most need them."