Autumn is officially here, which means the weather is set to become considerably colder and windier over the coming weeks and with energy bills about to rise for millions of households across the UK, most people will be trying to keep usage and costs down as much as possible.
The UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee will be in place until 2024, but even with the £400 discount being applied to every household with a domestic electricity account - which reduces the annual bill for those on the standard tariff with typical usage to £2,100 - it’s still a increase on already straining budgets.
In a written response to a query from Labour (Co-op) MP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, on how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) “plans to provide support for pensioners who experience fuel poverty in autumn 2022 in the context of rising energy costs” the DWP has outlined all the available and upcoming support people over State Pension age may be due over the colder months.
DWP minister, Victoria Prentis MP, said: “The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. These are global challenges.
“The Government is providing over £15 billion in further support, targeted particularly on those with the greatest need. This package is in addition to the over £22 billion announced previously, with Government support for the cost of living now totalling over £37 billion this year.”
Ms Prentis explained how the £650 cost of living payment, being paid in two instalments of £326 and £324, has been designed to target support at more than 8 million low-income households on means-tested benefits including Pension Credit.
The Conservative MP continued: “In addition, pensioner households will receive a one-off payment of £300 through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment from November and 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20 September.
“Most customers with a domestic electricity meter will benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, which will help around 29 million households across Great Britain.
“This support is in addition to the £150 Council Tax rebate for households in England in Council Tax bands A-D, which was announced in February, and which millions of households have already received.”
People living in Scotland in bands A-D or receiving a Council Tax Reduction also qualified for the £150 rebate.
Ms Prentis added that Cold Weather Payments are also available to help vulnerable people in receipt of certain income-related benefits in England and Wales to meet additional heating costs, during periods of unseasonably cold weather between November 1and March 31, this includes older people in receipt of Pension Credit.
People receive the automatic payment for £25 when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.
This benefit has been replaced for people living in Scotland by a new one-off payment for £50 which is due to start in February 2023. You can read more about the new Winter Heating Payment, to be delivered by Social Security Scotland here.
The DWP minister also said that for winter 2022/23, the Warm Home Discount Scheme has been extended to provide a £150 rebate on energy bills to around 3 million households.
She said: “Around one million households on Pension Credit guarantee credit will receive a rebate each winter, and the majority will receive their rebate automatically, without the need to claim.”
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is due to open in November, once the UK Government updates the dedicated pages on GOV.UK, we will update this article.
Find out more about claiming Pension Credit here.
To keep up to date with the cost of living crisis, join in the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.
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