Household energy bills would have been desperately unaffordable for many without extra support
(Picture: PA Wire)Amid the cost of living crisis, soaring energy costs have left UK households struggling to pay their bills.
The Government therefore launched a scheme in the autumn to help households to cover their costs during winter.
But as spring is on the horizon, many households may be wondering when these energy payments will stop.
How does the Government energy payment scheme work?
People with a domestic electricity meter point, who pay for the energy with standard credit, payment card and direct debit, will automatically receive £400 off their energy bills over six months.
People with pre-payment meters will receive energy bill discount vouchers that they need to redeem at their usual top-up point.
When does the Government energy payment stop?
The Government energy payments began in October and are due to be paid for six months.
Therefore, the last instalment of the £400 payment is due to be paid in March.
Households received a discount of £66 in October and November and a discount of £67 in December, January, February, and March.
This means that households won’t receive extra help paying their energy bills from the Government from April.
When will households receive cost of living payments in 2023?
Although the energy discount scheme will end in March, some households are eligible for further help in 2023.
People on eligible low-income benefits will receive £301 in the spring, followed by £300 in the autumn, and an additional £299 to be paid next spring.
People on eligible disability benefits will receive £150 in the summer, while pensioner households will receive £300 during the winter.
Eligible people will be paid automatically, so there is no need to apply.
The Government says that claimants who are eligible for any of the Cost of Living Payments and receive tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will receive payment from HMRC shortly after Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payments are issued.
