Payments to help people on Universal Credit and other working-age benefits to pay fuel bills will be doubled by the Welsh government.
Payments from the Winter Fuel Support Scheme will rise from £100 to £200.
People who have already received the payments will get the extra money in the coming weeks.
It comes ahead of an expected significant rise in the energy price cap, due to be announced on 7 February.
It is thought the cap, which is the most energy companies can charge for typical bill, could be increased by 50%, taking average costs for residents from £1,277 to almost £2,000 a year.
The Welsh Tories and Plaid Cymru welcomed the announcement, although Plaid said the payment “clearly won’t help everyone in need”.
There’s less than a week left to apply. The deadline is 28th February so you need to be quick!
If you have already received the £100 grant, then you will automatically get the additional £100.
Who is eligible?
The scheme is open to households where at least one person is on a working-age means-tested benefit, and is responsible for paying the property’s energy bills.
Claimants must have been claiming any one of the following benefits between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022:
- Income support
- Income-based job seekers allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Universal credit
- Working tax credits
Applications are open until 28 February, you can apply through Torfaen Council here.