Millions are continuing to struggle making ends meet as the cost of living crisis ploughs on, with expenses remaining high for every day essentials like energy, fuel, food and household bills. But in a bid to ensure the most vulnerable and people on low-income are still able to get by, the government has a range of financial support on offer.
As it stands, energy bills are still at an all-time high of 10.1 per cent - two per cent higher than the Bank of England's target. Interest rates are also set to rise again next week, with experts warning of a leap from 3.4 per cent to four.
Further down the line, Ofgem's energy price cap is due a hike, going from it's current figure of £2,500 to £3,000 in April - meaning extra expenses for homeowners across the country. But despite the grim outlook, there are ways people struggling can get a helping hand. As reported by the Mirror, below is a look at support Brits could get in February.
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Energy discount payment:
Once again, millions of households across the UK will receive a £67 discount on their monthly energy bill. You can get a £400 discount to help with your energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. You do not have to pay this money back. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).
The discount is automatic. If you get a message asking for your bank details, this could be a scam. All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible for the discount.
You’ll still get the discount if:
- you change your payment method or tariff
- you switch electricity supplier or move to a new address
- your supplier goes bust
- you’re in arrears on your electricity bill payments
You do not need to apply for the discount, and there’s no need to contact your energy supplier. The discount will be applied to your household electricity bill for six months starting in October 2022. You’ll get:
- £66 in October and November
- £67 in December, January, February and March
You’ll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card. This scheme has not been extended like other cost of living support and will come to an end in March. So from April you will have to pay your energy bill in full.
Cold Weather Payment scheme:
This scheme opened in November and will continue to run until March 31 of this year. If you're eligible, you will get £25 for each seven-day period when temperatures drop below zero degrees in your area.
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. To get this money you must be claiming one of six types of benefits, these include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (if you have any of the following: disability or pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
- Universal Credit (if you are not employed or self-employed, and you have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
You can check if you're due a payment by searching you postcode in the Government's online checker tool.
Warm Home Discount scheme:
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out. The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live. If you live in England and Wales, y ou qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and have high energy costs
You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, tou qualify for the discount if on 21 August 2022 all of the following applied:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the bill
- you or your partner are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)
This is known as being in the ‘core group 1’ in England and Wales. In Scotland, it is the ‘core group’.
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