With the recent increases in the cost of living, we know that many older people are concerned about shopping for food, heating their homes and filling up their car. We also know that many older people are unsure about the financial entitlements that may be available to them, and where they can go for help and information.
That’s why the Commissioner has brought together helpful information to answer some key questions about the financial assistance that may be available to older people to help them through this difficult time.
Age UK has useful calculator that provides an estimate of the financial support you may be entitled to.
To use the calculator, you'll need some information about your pensions, income and savings.
All households in Wales will get a £400 payment from the UK Government to help offset the soaring price of energy bills.
All households who have a domestic electricity connection will be automatically eligible for the grant (though if your bills are included in your rent it will go to your landlord). The money will be paid in six instalments. Households will see a discount of £66 applied to their energy bills in October and November, and £67 a month from December to March 2023.
How you receive your £400 discount will depend on how you pay your energy bills. If you pay by direct debit, you will have your money paid straight into your account from the start of October. If you have a pre-payment meter the cash will be credited to your meter, or you will receive a voucher in the first week of each month, via text, email or in the post. Customers will have to redeem these in person at their usual top-up point, such as a local Post Office.
If you receive Pension Credit, you are eligible to claim £200 from the Welsh Government’s Winter Fuel Support Scheme.
You can find out more about the scheme here.
Applications are now open. To apply, you’ll need to contact your council.
Please note that only one claim can be made per household.
Oil or LPG
Funding is available for off-grid households through the Discretionary Assistance Fund for a one-off oil payment of £250 or three payments of £70 towards LPG deliveries.
Contact Advicelink Cymru on their free helpline 0800 702 2020 and ask for someone to help to complete the application for you by phone. The Fund will be available until March 2023.
Prepayment Meters
The Welsh Government has awarded £4m of funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation to introduce a national fuel vouchers scheme for those households struggling to top up their meters. £30 of credit in the summer months and £49 in the winter months – households can receive up to three vouchers over a six-month period.
Contact Advicelink Cymru on their free helpline 0800 702 2020and ask for help in applying for a voucher.
The Discretionary Assistance Fund gives grants to people who either need help to live independently, called an Individual Assistance Payment or to people who have experienced an emergency or a disaster, called an Emergency Assistance Payment. Grants do not need to be paid back.
You can contact your local Citizens Advice service or phone Advicelink Cymru on their free helpline 0800 702 2020 for help in applying for a grant.
Contact your local Care and Repair Cymru Service on 0300 111 3333.
Care and Repair Cymru run a project called 70+ Cymru which aims to improve the warmth, comfort and quality of life for older people in Wales. A Home Energy Officers can visit you and work with you to find ways to keep your home safe and warm. They may even be able to refer you onto the Welsh Governments Nest programme for further help and support if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, you should check if you’re eligible.
Pension Credit can top up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples. It can also provide access to a range of other entitlements such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence.
Talk to an advisor at Advicelink Cymru on their free Claim What’s Yours helpline on 0808 250 5700, they can help you check what you are entitled to and even arrange for you to get help in completing any claims.
However, you can also phone the Pension Credit Claim Line directly on 0800 99 1234 or apply online at Pension Credit: How to claim – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Advice and Assistance
Contact the Commissioner's Advice and Assistance Team
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