What support is the government offering during the energy and cost of living crisis?
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On the 3rd February, Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, announced that the energy price cap would be increasing by £693 in April this year. Following this, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government's plans to support households facing soaring energy and living costs in 2022-23.
Council Tax Rebate
If your Council Tax falls in bands A-D, you will be eligible for a £150 rebate payment from April 2022. You won’t have to pay this back. This rebate will not apply to second homes or empty properties. If you pay less than £150 in Council Tax, receive the Single Person Discount, or don’t pay Council Tax due to receiving the Local Council Tax Support, you are still eligible for the £150 payment.
The payment is expected to be made directly into your bank account if you pay via direct debit. If you don’t, the council will process your claim in April. We’ll let you know when we have more information about how this will work.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme
If you are a domestic energy customer, you will automatically receive a £200 discount on your bills this Autumn. This will be collected back in equal instalments over five years beginning 2023-24.
Extra funding from the government for Local Authorities
If you don’t qualify for the Council Tax rebate, you may be able to get support from your Local Authority through the £144 million discretionary fund. The government is yet to announce who exactly this extra support will be targeting, but it is likely to include vulnerable and low-income households.
Check that you’re claiming all you are entitled to
In the meantime, you can check that you are claiming all the income and benefits that you are entitled to.
You can use a benefits calculator to check whether you could get extra support. Make sure you have handy information about your savings, income, pension and any benefits you or your partner get.
You should also check that you are being paid the right wage using the National Minimum Wage calculator. If you’re not being paid the right wage, speak to your employer, or contact us here at Citizens Advice Wigan Borough.
Check that any deductions made from your wages are correct. You can contact us if you think your employer is making deductions when they shouldn’t and we can help you challenge the deductions.
You can also check that you are paying the right amount of tax. For instance, if you are married or registered blind you may be eligible to pay less tax. There are also other ways you might be able to claim Income Tax relief, for example, if you work from home.
Other forms of support available to help with energy bills
Warm Homes Discount Scheme
You could get £140 off your electric bill between October and March if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you’re on low-income and meet your suppliers criteria.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 26th September 1955, you’re eligible for a £100 - £300 payment to help with heating bills. You will receive the payment automatically if you get the State Pension, or another social security benefit that isn’t housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or universal credit. If you don’t receive any of these, you may need to make a claim.
Cold Weather Payments
This is an automatic one-off payment to help cover extra heating costs when it’s very cold. There is no age restriction on this, but you have to be receiving:
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit
Support for Mortgage Interest
