Households urged to check eligibility for winter support schemes
Millions of households across the UK are being urged to check if they are eligible for a range of government support schemes to help with the cost of living this winter.
The schemes include one-off payments, discounts on energy bills and extra financial support for those on low incomes.
The government has announced a £15 billion package of support to help people with the rising cost of energy bills, which are expected to soar in the coming months.
This includes a £400 discount on energy bills for all households, which will be paid in six monthly installments from October.
There is also a £650 one-off payment for households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support and Pension Credit.
This payment will be made in two installments, with the first half paid in July and the second half in the autumn.
In addition, there is a £300 one-off payment for pensioners who receive Winter Fuel Payments.
This payment will be made in November or December.
The government has also announced a number of other measures to help people with the cost of living, including:
- A £150 council tax rebate for households in council tax bands A-D
- A £200 energy bill discount for households in Northern Ireland
- A £1 billion discretionary fund for local authorities to help vulnerable households
- A £500 million Household Support Fund for households on low incomes
The government has urged households to check if they are eligible for any of these schemes and to apply as soon as possible.
More information on the schemes can be found on the government website: www.gov.uk/help-with-the-cost-of-living
Who is eligible for the winter support schemes?
The following households are eligible for the winter support schemes:
- Households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support and Pension Credit
- Households in council tax bands A-D
- Households in Northern Ireland
- Vulnerable households, as determined by local authorities
How to apply for the winter support schemes
You can apply for the winter support schemes online or by phone.
To apply online, visit the government website: www.gov.uk/help-with-the-cost-of-living
To apply by phone, call the following numbers:
- Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644
- Income Support: 0800 169 0310
- Pension Credit: 0800 731 0469
- Council Tax Rebate: 0300 456 0000 (England) / 0345 121 2233 (Wales) / 0300 123 4910 (Scotland)
When will the winter support schemes be paid?
The winter support schemes will be paid at different times, depending on the scheme.
The £400 energy bill discount will be paid in six monthly installments from October.
The £650 one-off payment for households on means-tested benefits will be paid in two installments, with the first half paid in July and the second half in the autumn.
The £300 one-off payment for pensioners who receive Winter Fuel Payments will be made in November or December.
The £150 council tax rebate will be paid from April 2022.
The £200 energy bill discount for households in Northern Ireland will be paid from November 2022.
The £1 billion discretionary fund for local authorities will be paid from April 2022.
The £500 million Household Support Fund for households on low incomes will be paid from April 2022.
Households urged to check eligibility for winter support schemes
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK News and communications a new article on 2024-11-01 11:40 titled “Households urged to check eligibility for winter support schemes”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
115