State pensioners who do not receive Pension Credit may still qualify for support through an extended scheme from Octopus Energy. This follows the UK Government’s decision to stop the annual Winter Fuel Payments for approximately 10 million older people across Great Britain starting this year.
Winter Fuel Payment Cuts Prompt Expanded Support from Energy Provider
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on July 29 that the payment, which ranges from £100 to £300, will now only be provided to around 1.5 million state pensioners who receive means-tested benefits like Pension Credit.
The recent eligibility changes imply that millions of pensioners who previously received the Winter Fuel Payment last year won't receive it this winter. However, Octopus Energy is extending its £30 million assistance fund to cover this winter, offering support to state pensioners who no longer qualify for the payment.
Octopus Energy’s ‘Octo Assist’ fund has already supported over 80,000 customers, including many pensioners. The financial aid is personalized to each person's situation, and applications for help can be submitted year-round.
Those who apply through the ‘Octo Assist’ fund can access discretionary credits of £50, £100, or £200.
The transfer of Winter Fuel Payment responsibilities for Scottish pensioners was planned for this year, but the rollout of the Pension Age Winter Payment has been delayed until 2025/26. Last month, the Scottish Government asserted that the new eligibility rules will also apply Scottish pensioners.
Octopus Energy Extends Support for Pensioners Amid Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Octopus Energy is also emphasizing that its rates are consistently set below the price cap, which is scheduled to rise by 10 percent on October 1. This approach saves customers from an estimated £150 million in additional energy costs each year.
Octopus Energy also provides a range of support services, including free electric blankets for customers, loans of heat loss cameras to detect and fix draughts, and personalized in-person energy-saving advice from energy helpers. Additionally, they offer 'savings sessions,' where customers can reduce their energy costs by using less power during peak times. Over the last two winters, more than 2 million participants have saved a total of £10.5 million through these sessions.
Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy Group, declared: “At times like this, we can’t expect the government to do everything - companies need to work hard on affordability too. That’s why we’ve expanded our Octo Assist fund to introduce extra support for the pensioners who need it most.
“There’s a lot of government and other support for pensioners but many don’t realise it - government data shows one in three pensioners eligible for pension credits are not claiming, so we’re training our team to help with this too."
The energy provider's advisers can also assist people in checking for unclaimed benefits such as Pension Credit.