All the help for older people in Manchester, on one page.
Why this page? In Manchester, the council handles Council Tax Support, the crisis fund, Blue Badges and community alarms. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) handles bus passes.
We could not confirm the savings limit for pension-age Council Tax Support. Ask Manchester City Council: what's the savings limit?
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Council Tax SupportCrisis and Resilience Fund (Help with emergency living costs). It replaced the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2026.
A short-term cash grant (bank payment or voucher) for food and other essentials after a sudden loss of income or an unexpected cost. You must have no other way to meet the cost.
Apply online on the Local Welfare Assistance website. Help: welfare.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk.
It's a grant. To be sure, email welfare.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk and ask whether you'll have to repay it.
Email welfare.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk and ask if it can cover gas or electricity.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Crisis and Resilience FundTfGM issues passes. Manchester City Council does not.
State Pension age, if you live in Greater Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Travel for free on all buses within Greater Manchester at any time. Elsewhere in England: between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Your concessionary pass does not cover the travel of carers or companions.
Transport for Greater Manchester
TfGM Concessionary Travel 0161 244 1000.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Older person's travel passApply or renew online only. Renewals may need assessment too, so reapply in good time. You can keep using an expired badge for up to 28 days if you've already reapplied (on-street in Manchester only).
If further assessment is needed, it can take up to 6 to 7 weeks to be picked up.
Phone 0161 277 5919, bluebadge@manchester.gov.uk.
Call 0161 277 5919 and ask how to ask for the decision to be looked at again.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Get free help with your Blue Badge applicationManchester City Council installs community alarms. Call 0161 234 5001.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Every fact here comes from an official page, linked next to it: Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and GOV.UK. We checked every link and quote on 12 Oct 2026. Where we could not confirm something, we give you the number to call and what to ask.
Spotted something out of date? Email careteam@helpalert24.co.uk
