The Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme is now being offered to a wider community that meets the criteria of eligibility for the grant.
Launched in 2021, in response to the ongoing rise in energy costs, the scheme originally provided struggling households with a one-off payment of £100 to help with winter heating bills. In February, this figure was doubled to £200 and now, this payment is also being extended to further households.
The scheme is in addition to the Energy Bill rebate being offered by the UK Government and the Winter Fuel Payment normally paid to pensioners.
The initiative is open to households where someone is claiming one or more of the following:
· universal credit
· child tax credits
· pension credits
· disability support allowance
· carers’ allowance or contributory benefits
Bridgend County Borough Council has contacted people that they believe are eligible by letter, with applications being made available online through the council’s ‘My Account’ facility. The fund is open from the 26 September 2022 until the 28 February 2023, with the first payment expected to be made in October 2022.
Deputy Leader, Cllr Jane Gebbie said: “We are urging local residents to take advantage of the support being offered by Welsh government, particularly with the scheme being extended to a wider group of eligible people.
“We really hope that the funding will help to alleviate some of the financial burden that people are experiencing at present.”
Further details of the scheme, including a full list of all the qualifying benefits, can be found at www.bridgend.gov.uk/winter-fuel-support-scheme
