Octopus Energy has extended a support scheme to include people over State Pension age who are not in receipt of Pension Credit after the UK Government announced it was removing annual Winter Fuel Payments for over 10 million older people across Great Britain. Despite calls from the SNP, charities and campaigners from around the country, to U-turn on the decision made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on July 29, the Labour Government is standing by the policy change. The eligibility change means millions of pensioners who received payments of between £100 and £00 last year will not be due the money this winter.
However, Octopus said it will continue its £30 million assistance fund into this winter, and State Pensioners who do not meet the new criteria for Winter Fuel Payments will be eligible. Similarly, OVO has launched a £50m package of support aimed at helping customers struggling to manage energy bills as the new, higher price cap kicks in. Both funds are now open to applications with funding available all-year-round.
Octopus Energy’s ‘Octo Assist’ fund can provide discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 and the energy giant is reminding customers that it always charges below the price cap - which has now risen by 10 per cent - shielding customers from £150m of energy costs each year. It also offers free electric blankets for customers, loans of heat loss cameras to identify and fix draughts, energy helpers providing tailored in-person energy-saving advice and.
