More than 16,000 people in Wallasey are set to receive a £300 boost to their Winter Fuel Payment later this year.
This is on top of the existing annual payment of between £100 and £300 for qualifying older residents.
This is part of the new £15 billion package of targeted government support to help with the rising cost of living announced by the Chancellor:
- All households will also benefit from the new £400 October discount on energy bills.
- A £650 payment to more than eight million low-income households on Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credit and legacy benefits and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits – groups who are most vulnerable to rising energy prices.
To ensure there is support for everyone who needs it, Rishi Sunak also announced a £500 million increase for the Household Support Fund, delivered by councils such as Wirral, extending it from October until March 2023. This brings the total Household Support Fund to £1.5 billion.
To help pay for the extra support - which takes the total direct government cost of living support to £37 billion – the Chancellor said a new temporary 25% Energy Profits Levy would be introduced for oil and gas companies, reflecting their extraordinary profits.
Further help to cut fuel bills:
If your household has an annual income of £30,000 or less and also has a low energy efficiency rating, help could also be available to make your home warmer. Call 0800 04310151.
Article © Ian Lewis 2022