The new energy price cap came into effect today as families across the country have been urged to take photographs of their meter readings.

The new cap means that a typical UK household will not spend more than £2500 a year. However, households that use a lot of gas and electricity will see higher costs.

There are various types of government support available for those who are struggling to pay their bills, but what support is available to pensioners?

Will pensioners get help with energy bills?

If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is a government support scheme known as the ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

The amount you will receive includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’.

This is a payment between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount between winter 2022 to 2023.

This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.

You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you’re eligible and either:

  • get the State Pension
  • get another social security benefit (not including Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)

According to gov.uk, if you do not get receive either of these or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim to get the payment.

If you’ve had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad.

The deadline for you to claim for winter 2022 to 2023 is March 31, 2023.

What government support is available for energy bills?

If you’re struggling with the rising cost of energy bills, government support is available.

Households will start receiving money off their energy bills from October, with the discount made in six instalments.

A discount of £66 will be applied to energy bills in October and November, rising to £67 each month from December through to March 2023.

Further Government support includes a £650 one-off cost-of-living payment for around eight million households on means-tested benefits.

You can view the full list of government support available in our explainer here.

Your Money Matters

Your Money Matters is a campaign launched by us and our sister titles across Newsquest to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living. This year has seen a whole host of household price increases — from the energy price cap rise to surging inflation and food prices — costing your family hundreds or even thousands of pounds extra per year. We’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost-of-living crisis is having on our readers. The worldwide energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine invasion, the financial impact of the Covid pandemic, record inflation figures and a surge in the cost of goods, fuel and travel means we will all feel the pinch. Through our newspaper, we want to do what we can to help make your cash go further because we know your money matters.