The Winter Fuel Support Scheme is a one-off £200 cash payment and is available to all eligible households regardless of how they pay for fuel.

The scheme is open to households where one member is in receipt of:

• income support
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• universal credit, or
• working tax credits.

You must have been claiming these benefits at any time between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022, and be responsible for paying the energy bills for the property.

Your local council should write to you if you are eligible but you can also apply through your local council‘s website. Applications must be received by 28 February 2022 and payment should be made by 31 March 2022.

If you have already received £100 payment under the scheme, you do not need to do anything. You should receive a further £100 payment in the coming weeks.

If you’re on a low income, or you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may qualify for a one-off £140 discount on your electricity bill.

Check Gov.uk to see if you’re eligible, find out which energy suppliers are part of the scheme and how to apply. You can also call the scheme’s helpline on 0800 731 0214.

The scheme for winter 2021/2022 is now open and the your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2022.

You may qualify for Cold Weather Payments if you are on certain benefits, including:

• pension credit
• income support
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• universal credit.

The payments are made when temperatures drop below freezing for more than a week between the beginning of November and the end of March.

You receive £25 for every 7 days where the temperature averages below zero degrees Celsius.

Payments are made automatically so you don’t need to apply.

Find out if a cold weather payment is due for your area – check Gov.uk.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a grant of between £100 and £300 to help older people with winter energy bills. To qualify for the payment, you must have been born on or before 26 September 1955.

How much you get depends on your age, if you receive certain benefits and if you live alone or with others.

Check if you qualify – visit Gov.uk.

Contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 or e-mail energy-advice@est.org.uk for more help and advice on paying your energy bills.

If you have problems with fuel bills or debt you can get help from specialist Shelter Cymru debt advisers or check out our cash in a crisis advice page.

You can also contact the Energy Saving Trust for advice on how to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

We are sorry that we cannot provide this information in Welsh, however if you would like to speak to an adviser in Welsh please contact 08000 495 495.