ELIGIBLE households in Wales can apply for a one-off £200 cash payment to help pay for energy bills from tomorrow.
The support comes through the Fuel Support Scheme, launched by the Welsh government.
Payments will be made to eligible households regardless of how they pay for their energy, including via pre-payment meter, direct debit, paying quarterly or those who use off-grid fuel.
The £200 will be made in addition to winter fuel payments being distributed by the UK government.
The Fuel Support Scheme is part of a £90 million support package to help vulnerable households in Wales through the cost of living crisis.
A statement on the Welsh government's website said: "We understand the winter months can be the most difficult time of the year.
"Families shouldn't have to choose between heating and eating."
Who is eligible?
The scheme will be open to households where the applicant, or their partner, receives a qualifying benefit, and was receiving it between September 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023.
The full list of qualifying benefits includes:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Benefits
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
People applying for the money also need to be paying for the property's energy bills.
How to apply
People will normally have to apply for the £200 through their local authority.
If you don't know what local authority you fall under, you can find it here.
That means the application process will be different depending on where you live.
For example, Bridgend County Borough Council's website says applications must be submitted before 5pm on February 2023 for households to receive a payment.
Residents in the area can apply for the scheme through the authority's website.
Torfaen County Borough Council's website says if it thinks you are eligible and you recently received a £150 cost of living payment, the payment will be made automatically into the bank account used to transfer that £150 payment.
Others will be contacted by the council to submit an online application through its website.
You should contact your local council to make sure you don't miss out on the £200 payment if you are entitled to it.