What funding is available?
Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 cash payment from their local authority. The money is to provide support towards paying fuel bills. This is in addition to the winter fuel payment offered by the UK Government.
The payment will be available to all eligible energy customers regardless of how they pay for fuel. This includes payments made on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit, paid quartley or for those who use off-grind fuel.
This scheme is part of a £90m support package to address immediate pressures on living costs.
About the fund
The aim of the Welsh Government fuel support scheme is to reduce the impact o fthe rising cost of energy and the cost-of-living crisis.
Welsh Government are targeting the scheme to low-income households and extending the number of households who are eligble.
Welsh Government understand the winter months can be the most difficult time of year. Families shouldn't have to choose between heating and eating.
Who can apply?
The scheme will be open to households where an applicant, or their partner is in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits at any time between 1 September 2022 and 31 January 2023:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Benefits
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Receipt of Carers Allowance includes those people who are being paid Carers Allowance and people who have claimed Carers Allowance but due to the overlapping benefit rules do not receive it as a cash benefit, for example they have an underlying entitlement to Carers Allowance.
If a householder, or their partner who is liable for the fuel costs does not receive any of the qualifying benefits, the householder may be eligible for a payment if they have a qualifying person living with them.
If a householder, or their partner does not receive any of the qualifying benefits, the householder may be eligible to apply if they have a qualifying person living with them.
A qualifying person must meet all of the following:
- occupy the householder’s home as their primary residence
- are a dependent child or another adult living with the householder, or their partner
- they receive 1 of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Applicants must also be responsible for paying the energy bills for the property.
How to apply
Applications can be made to local authorities via their website when the scheme opens on 26 September 2022.
