Octopus Energy and OVO customers can apply for help with higher heating bills this winter.
Octopus customers may be unaware that the energy provider has extended a support scheme to include people over State Pension age who are not in receipt of Pension Credit after the UK Government announced it was removing annual Winter Fuel Payments for over 10 million older people across Great Britain. Despite calls from MPs, charities and campaigners from around the country, to U-turn on the decision, the Labour Government is standing by the policy change.
People of all ages struggling to cope with higher heating costs this winter may be able to access financial support through their local council. The Scottish Government confirmed it received a £41m package from Westminster to help households north of the border - find out about help on offer on the cost of living Scotland website here.
Similar to the Octo Assist fund, the package is open all year round, with increased support over winter to provide eligible customers with financial support and energy efficiency products to help them through the colder months.The £50m package includes: The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.Check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
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