Winter fuel payment cuts: Citizens Advice East Herts’ top tips on affording energy bills this winter
In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to the winter fuel payment (WFP), the annual one-off payment introduced in 1997 to help pensioners pay for heating during the winter, writes Esther McWatters of Citizens Advice East Herts.
Depending on your age and if you live with somebody else who’s eligible, it could provide up to £300 towards your bills. However, the new announcement means only those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will now be eligible for the WFP. [The number of payments will fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million – Ed.].
The changes might be confusing and worrying to some people who have already factored the WFP into their household budget. That’s why Maxine Bromyard, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Herts, is on hand to offer some top tips on affording energy bills this winter.
“People might be worried about how this change will affect them, but there are other ways – depending on the type of energy you use and how you pay – that you can get energy bill support this winter,” says Maxine.
“There are also steps those still entitled to the WFP can take to make sure they don’t miss out on this much-needed support. We know a third of people entitled to Pension Credit aren’t claiming it and it’s more important than ever to apply for this benefit if you can.”
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income and is based on how much money you have coming in. If you’ve reached state pension age, you might be able to apply for it. Check the Citizens Advice website to see if you’re eligible and get instructions on how to apply.
Maxine’s top tips for those looking for extra support this winter are:
• Talk to your supplier – they’re responsible for helping you come to a solution, like setting up an affordable repayment plan if you’ve fallen behind on bills.
• Fuel vouchers – if you have a pre-payment meter and can’t afford to top up, you might be able to get a fuel voucher. These come in the form of a code in a letter, text message or email and you can use them to top up your meter at some shops or online if you have a smart meter.
• Priority services register (PSR) – you may be able to get extra non-financial help from your gas and electricity supplier by signing up to the PSR. You can sign up if you’re of state pension age, disabled or have a long-term health condition or meet other criteria listed on the PSR website. If you’re on the PSR, your energy supplier can make your call a priority when you contact them, give their engineers a password if they visit or contact you so you know they’re genuine and move your pre-payment meter if you struggle to get to it. See if you’re eligible and how to sign up on Citizens Advice’s website.
If you need advice, the quickest way is to call our message line on 01920 459944, Monday to Thursday, or visit www.citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk for our advice options.
If you don’t have a phone or email or need extra support, the Citizens Advice Contact Centre at Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church in South Street is open every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm.
In the House of Commons on September 10, a Conservative motion to block the Labour Government’s plans to means-test the benefit was defeated by 348 to 228 votes. Local Labour MPs Josh Dean (Hertford & Stortford), Chris Vince (Harlow) and Chris Hinchliff (North East Herts) voted against the motion while Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch (North West Essex) voted for it.
