Welsh Government doubles emergency Winter Fuel Support Scheme payments

The Welsh Government has today announced that the value of the payments made available through the emergency Winter Fuel Support Scheme will double to £200.

The scheme will also be extended to 28 February 2022 to reflect the expected increase in the energy price cap in April. Households who have already received the initial £100 payment will automatically receive the additional £100.

Commenting on the announcement, Energy Saving Trust’s policy officer for Wales, Jack Wilkinson-Dix, said: “We welcome this boost to the incomes of some of the most vulnerable households in Wales, though issues remain which must be addressed. To be eligible for the payments, households must be in receipt of certain benefits; the support is not available for those households who are struggling but not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.

“We understand that the take up of this scheme among eligible households has differed greatly depending on the local authority, which are responsible for distributing payments. Much more needs to be done to advertise the scheme and increase uptake.

“We also understand that Welsh Government is working on a wide-ranging advertising campaign to promote this scheme and other support programmes such as Nest and the Discretionary Assistance Fund. This is an essential and immediate first step in helping to address the current challenge of high energy prices in Wales.”