£100 winter fuel payments available

Working age Powys residents who are struggling to heat their homes this winter could be eligible for a one-off £100 payment from the Welsh Government.

Households in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Working Tax Credits at any time between December 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022, may be entitled to the grant and should contact Powys County Council (PCC) to apply.

The council believes as many as 9,000 people in the county may be eligible to claim under the Winter Fuel Support Scheme and is writing to those it knows meet the criteria but does not want anyone else, who may be eligible in Powys, to miss out.

Applications can be made from this Monday onwards via the PCC website and must be received before February 18, 2022. If you need help to apply, please call the council on 01597 826345.

Cllr Aled Davies, PCC’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “We are aware that many of our residents are concerned about the rising costs of heating their homes and I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible for this additional support to submit an application.

“This extra money could help make budgeting for your household bills this winter a little easier and, if the estimates are correct, could result in payments totalling more than £900,000 being made to Powys residents.”

Payments will be issued from January 2022 and should be completed by the end of March, although PCC hopes to send them out sooner if it can. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to claim the £100.