Winter Fuel payment to increase
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Winter Fuel Support Scheme payments will be increased by £100 the Welsh Government has confirmed today, 1st February.
The one-off payment, launched in December, will rise to £200 and extend to support eligible households with rising energy bills and costs.
It is part of the Household Support Fund, which is providing £51m of support for families and the most vulnerable in society.
The increase comes after experts have warned that typical household bills are set to soar to over £1,900 after April when the energy price cap is set to increase.
The energy price cap is the maximum amount a utility company can charge a customer per year for the amount of electricity and gas they use. This limits what suppliers pass on to customers following increases in wholesale prices.
The cap means that if wholesale prices go down consumer bills should also decrease, but if they increased there is a limit.
However, energy prices have significantly increased in the past six months, resulting in the cap increase.
Announcing the increased support for households, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Right across Wales, people are seeing their bills rise and wages are being stretched like never before. From energy bills, to prices at the pumps and the costs of everyday essentials.
“We know some people are facing the incredibly difficult decision about whether they heat or eat. We’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, which is getting worse.
“Our £51m Household Support Fund targeted support at families across Wales. We know these initiatives are working and making a real difference to the lives of low income households.
“That’s why I’m delighted to announce we’re going to extend support to households by doubling the Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment. We’re increasing the £100 payment to £200 and this will be available to new applicants and retrospectively paid to those who have applied already.”
Local authorities will process new applications from eligible households. To be eligible for the payment, one member of the household must be in receipt of certain welfare benefits. Further details are available on local authority websites, which will be updated to reflect the increased payment.
Councils have contacted people they believe are eligible. If they have not yet made an application, these can be submitted until 28th February.
People who have already received a £100 payment under the scheme do not need to anything – they will receive a further £100 payment in the coming weeks.”
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