Octopus Power palms pensioners £200 lifeline | U.Ok.Finance Information
Pensioners who missed out on this yr’s Winter Gasoline Cost can as an alternative declare up to £200 from Octopus Power as half of a new scheme.
The main vitality provider, which serves round 6.8 million prospects within the UK, has set up its own Winter Gasoline Funds for state pensioners, offering payouts of £50, £100 and £200.
Octopus says it has launched the scheme to help help 1000’s of pension-age households to cowl their payments this winter after Labour modified the factors for the federal government scheme.
Up till final yr, the Winter Gasoline Cost was out there to all UK households with somebody over State Pension age, offering an annual cost of both £200 or £300.
However adjustments made 2024 imply the cost now solely goes to households who’re in receipt of Pension Credit score, or any of the next advantages:
It implies that the quantity of households eligible for the cost has dropped dramatically from round 11 million to only over a million.
The choice to change the cost from a common benefit to 1 that’s now means-tested was to make sure the help goes to those that need it most, however it implies that some pensioners who’re solely simply above the affordability threshold now miss out.
In response, Octopus has prolonged its £30 million Octopus Help fund to help 1000’s of prospects lacking out on Winter Gasoline Funds.
The provider stated: “Fewer UK households are now eligible for the government’s £200-300 Winter Fuel Payment this year. And we know many customers depended on this help.
“That’s why we’re stepping up to help bring this support back to customers who need it most: offering our own £50, £100 and £200 ‘Winter Fuel Payments’ to thousands of Octopus customers who’ll no longer be eligible with the recent changes.
“We’ll ask you to share some information about your health, any vulnerabilities, income and monthly costs so we can work out the best ways we can help you. Applying is quick and straightforward, and you can do it online, over the phone, or by mail.
“We’ll also check if you’re entitled to any other government support or benefits – which for some customers, add up to £10,000 a year – and can help you apply.”
Clients can apply for the scheme online by way of the Octopus Power web site.
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