£90m fuel support scheme launching this autumn
25 JULY 2022 17:05
£90m fuel support scheme launching this autumn
A £90m Welsh government fuel support scheme launching this autumn has been welcomed by Ceredigion Citizens Advice.
The money has been made available in recognition of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on people struggling to pay their energy bills.
Ceredigion has the second highest level of people experiencing fuel poverty in Wales and local senior energy adviser Will Jones urged people to make sure that they apply for the grant.
“People have to apply through the local authority for this grant – it’s not paid automatically. We want to make sure that everyone who is eligible applies. If you have any questions get in touch with us here at Ceredigion Citizens Advice,” he said.
The scheme also includes people who are off grid – which in Ceredigion is the majority of local residents.
“Ceredigion faces the double problem of so many people living off the gas grid plus an older, energy inefficient housing stock,” he added.
He welcomed that the scheme had been extended to cover people on a broad range of benefits.
Announcing the scheme, Jane Hutt the minister for social justice, said: “The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable and doing everything we can to ensure they can get through this difficult time.
Previously, over 166,000 households on universal credit, legacy means-tested benefit and working tax credits benefitted from the Welsh £200 Winter Fuel Support Scheme which ran last winter.
I am pleased to announce that for this year’s scheme, in-line with feedback we have had from our stakeholders through our cost of living summits, we have been able to extend the eligibility criteria to support more vulnerable households with this vital support.
The extension of the fuel support scheme will mean nearly 200,000 more households on child tax credits, pension credits, disability benefits, carers allowance, contributory benefits and those receiving help from the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to pay their council tax bill will now be eligible.
Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 payment from their local authority to be used towards paying fuel bills. This payment will be available to all eligible energy customers regardless of whether they pay for their fuel on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly and regardless of whether they are using on or off-grid fuel.”
The scheme will open for applications on September 26 with first payments made the following month.
Contact Ceredigion Citizens Advice on 01239 621974 or email enquiries@cabceredigion.org or message via Facebook.