Winter Fuel Support Scheme
Applications to the scheme have now ended-any applications that are eligible for a payment will be paid by 31st March 2023.
The scheme enables eligible households to claim a one-off £200 payment to provide support towards paying their fuel costs. This payment is in addition to the Energy Bill rebate being offered by the UK Government and the Winter Fuel Payment normally paid to pensioners.
The payment will be available to all eligible households (one payment per household paid to the person responsible for the fuel bills) however they pay for their fuel, whether that is, for example, on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly and can be claimed regardless of whether they are using on or off-grid fuel.
Eligibility
A payment can be made under the scheme if the applicant meets all four conditions outlined below.
Application Condition
An applicant meets this condition if an application to the scheme is submitted between 26th September 2022 and Tuesday 28 February 2023.
Benefit Entitlement Condition
An applicant, or their partner need to be in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits between 1 September 2022 and 31 January 2023:
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) (Please note that this does not include single person discount or other discounts and exemptions-Council Tax Reduction is a means tested benefit)
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Based/New Style Jobseekers Allowance
- Contributory Based/New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If a householder (or their partner) who is liable for the fuel costs does not receive any of the qualifying benefits, the householder may be considered as eligible for a payment if they have a qualifying person living with them.
A person meets the definition of a qualifying person if they:
- Occupy the householder’s home as their primary residence; and
- Are a dependent child or another adult living with the householder (or their partner); and,
- They receive one of the following benefits between 1st September 2022 and 31st January 2023:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
This is in reflection of the higher energy costs typically faced by a household where a disabled person resides, recognising that Disability Living Allowance is primarily awarded to a disabled child aged under 16 (who cannot be a householder).
Fuel Liability Condition
An applicant meets this condition if they (or their partner) are liable for Council Tax as their liability for Council Tax is considered to indicate a fuel liability.
Applicants that are not responsible for paying Council Tax can demonstrate they meet this condition by providing bills or invoices which confirm that they are responsible for paying the fuel costs for costs their property. This is the case regardless of whether fuel is paid for through a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or quarterly bill and whether the fuel is received on or off grid.
Applicants can only claim for fuel costs at a property in Wales and where this property is considered their primary residence.
Payment Condition
An applicant can only receive one payment from this scheme. An applicant meets this condition if they (or their partner) have not already received a payment under this 2022/2023 Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme.
Appeals
There is no right of appeal against a decision not to make a payment as payments can only be made where the criteria is met. If you are not happy with a decision, then you can ask us to look at it again with evidence to support your reasons.
Application information.
When applying you will be asked to confirm:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your email address
- If you receive Council Tax Reduction (and if possible, your reference number which starts with an 8)
- The income you receive
- Your bank details for a bank account where payment can be made (please note payments can only be paid into bank accounts, not Post Office Card accounts or Building Society accounts)
You will then receive an automated email to confirm that your application form has been received.
Payments will start to be made from October with all payments being made by the 31st March 2023.
When your application has been approved you will receive an email to confirm that a payment is to be made.
Please do not contact us to ask when a decision or payment will be made as this will delay us working through the applications.
Please note that if you receive Council Tax Reduction and received a payment from the Cost of Living Support Scheme or the Unpaid Carers Support Scheme then we are permitted to use the data collected from these schemes to make payments. If we do this we will contact you to advise that a payment is being made automatically. There will then be no need for you to make an application.
If you continue to experience severe financial hardship you may wish to make a claim to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) | GOV.WALES
Wales winter fuel support scheme: privacy notice | GOV.WALES