Octopus Energy is stepping in to help pensioners with up to £200 after changes to the Winter Fuel Payment scheme left many without support
London: Octopus Energy is stepping up to help pensioners this winter. If you missed out on the Winter Fuel Payment, you can claim up to £200 from them.
This energy supplier serves about 6.8 million customers in the UK. They’ve created their own Winter Fuel Payments for state pensioners, offering £50, £100, and £200 payouts.
They launched this scheme to support pension-age households struggling with bills. This comes after Labour changed the criteria for the government’s payment scheme.
Last year, anyone over State Pension age could get the Winter Fuel Payment. It used to be £200 or £300 for all eligible households.
But now, only those receiving Pension Credit or certain benefits can qualify. This change has cut the number of eligible households from around 11 million to just over one million.
The government aimed to target support to those who need it most. However, some pensioners just above the threshold are now missing out.
In response, Octopus has expanded its £30 million Octopus Assist fund. This fund aims to help those missing out on the Winter Fuel Payments.
Octopus said, “Fewer households are eligible for the government’s Winter Fuel Payment this year. We know many relied on this support.”
They added, “That’s why we’re offering our own payments to help those affected by the changes.”
To apply, you’ll need to share some info about your health, income, and costs. It’s a quick and easy process, and you can do it online, by phone, or by mail.
They’ll also check if you qualify for other government support, which could add up to £10,000 a year for some customers.
You can apply for this scheme on the Octopus Energy website.
