Around 400,000 households in Wales are set to get £200 towards keeping their homes warm this autumn and winter. The Welsh Government has announced it is extending its fuel support scheme to cover more households who have been hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.
Back in February it was announced that the fuel support scheme payment would rise from £100 to £200 following concerns over the impact of soaring costs including energy prices, fuel costs, supermarket price increases, and council tax hikes. Previously around 166,000 households on universal credit, legacy means-tested benefit, and working tax credits benefited from the £200.
However the Welsh Government has announced it is extending the scheme to cover around 400,000 households in Wales - more than double the amount who were previously eligible. Those claiming the following payments will now be eligible for the scheme:
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Child tax credits
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Pension credits
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Disability benefits
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Carers allowance
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Contributory benefits such as jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance (ESA)
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Those receiving help from the council tax reduction scheme
Read more: How you can get extra help from your council to pay bills
While it hasn't been confirmed exactly when the money will be made available eligible households were most recently given between December last year and February this year to apply for the payment. It is likely the government will apply a similar timeframe for 2022-23.
The expansion is part of the Welsh Government's £90m investment in the fuel support scheme aimed at reducing the impact of the cost of living crisis on those struggling to pay their energy bills. The extended fuel support scheme includes the £4m announced last month for the fuel voucher scheme to support those on prepayment meters and households not connected to mains gas.
Rising costs saw the energy price cap rise by 54% back in April this year and analysts including MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis have warned it could balloon even further in October with predictions that it could hit £3,200. You can read more about that here.
Social justice minister Jane Hutt said: “We know a lot of households are feeling anxious and worried about their rising energy bills so we hope this extension of our Welsh Government fuel support scheme to many more people will provide some comfort in these challenging times. We know people across Wales are struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis as they see inflation, petrol, essential household items, and energy bills all rising.
"We are targeting the fuel support scheme at low-income households and extending the number of those eligible as we understand how the winter months can be the hardest of the year and families face the difficult choice of heating or eating. We are committed to supporting the most vulnerable and doing everything we can to ensure they can get through this difficult moment.”
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