MORE than 400,000 households will be eligible for an energy payment to help with the cost of living this winter.
Dubbed the “Winter Fuel Support Scheme”, Welsh households that are in receipt of certain means-tested benefits will get extra cash.
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In February, the Welsh Government announced £330 million of new measures to help people with the cost of living crisis.
Jane Hutt, the Welsh minister for social justice, allocated £38 million of this new funding into the refreshed Winter Fuel Support Scheme.
The scheme will pay eligible households £200 in cash to put towards their heating bills.
The scheme will open for eligible households to apply on September 26.
Who’s eligible for the £200 payment?
The Winter Fuel Support Scheme is open to households in Wales where at least one member is a recipient of the following working age means-tested benefits:
Those that apply must also be the ones who pay the energy bills for the property.
The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of whether they pay for their on-grid fuel on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.
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How and when can I apply for the scheme?
If you’re eligible for the scheme you’ll receive a letter in the year which will ask for your basic information to support your claim along with details to enable the payment.
Alternatively, individuals who believe they may qualify for this support can submit a claim through the Welsh Government website once applications open.
Applications for the scheme are anticipated to open on September 26 and you’ll need your national insurance number to do apply.
All applications will need to be received by the specified closing date – which’ll be announced later on this year and you should expect to receive payment thereafter.
How will I receive the money?
You’ll receive the £200 payment in cash form.
Your local authority will wire the money across to your bank account with the details you provided upon application.
Make sure you provide the correct bank details when you apply.
What other energy bill help can I get?
Energy suppliers are also offering cash grants to those hardest hit by bill rises.
For instance British Gas is giving out up to £750 through its hardship fund.
But the amount can vary according to your supplier and your circumstances.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
Cold weather payments up £25 a day are also on offer when temperatures plummet below zero for households on low incomes.
The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each seven day period of low temperatures between November 1 and March 31.
Anyone getting the state pension should also get winter fuel payments worth £100s. Winter fuel payments are a tax-free payment that comes from the government each year and is worth between £100 and £300.
