Energy Price Guarantee Extension
This is the previously announced measure which caps the unit price of gas and electricity so that the typical household pays the equivalent of £2,500 per year until 31 March 2023.
As announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, this scheme has been extended until the end of June 2023.
Energy bills will still be higher or lower depending on how much energy is used – for example energy bills will still be lower in a well-insulated home that uses less energy.
Prepayment Meters Price Cut
As an extension to the energy price guarantee, the Chancellor announced that prepayment meter customers will have their prices cut from July 2023. From this date, customers should not be charged a higher rate than those currently paying by direct debit.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund has been delivered through local authorities since October 2021 when it was set up to ‘provide a lifeline for those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter’.
The government have confirmed that an extra £1 billion will be provided to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund in England over 2023/24.
This is discretionary help and administration of the fund will vary depending on the local authority area in which you live. You can find out about eligibility and how to access the fund through your Local Authority website.
Winter Fuel Allowance
Claimants can get this if they or their partner are Pension Credit age or over – regardless of income. If already on a social security benefit, payment should happen automatically – if not, they need to claim. Payments vary from £100 to £300 depending on circumstances. More information can be found on Gov.UK website.
Cold Weather Payments
This is an automatic £25.00 a week payment when the temperature falls below 0 for 7 consecutive days. Claimant must:
- Be on Universal Credit, Income Support or Income Based JSA or Income Related ESA or Pension Credit (either type) AND
- Be either: Pension Credit Age or over, or someone in the household is disabled, or they are responsible for a child under five (disabled child can be any age).
