Octopus Energy extends Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners | Personal Finance | Finance

Octopus Energy is extending its energy bill support scheme for pensioners after the Government removed Winter Fuel Payments for millions of elderly people.

The energy supplier announced it will maintain its £30 million assistance fund this winter, making pensioners who no longer qualify for state support eligible for help.

In July, Labour revealed changes to the Government’s winter fuel payments scheme, meaning it will no longer be available to all pensioners in England and Wales. Now, only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, will qualify, affecting an estimated 10 million people.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged that making the scheme more targeted was a “difficult decision.”

However, Octopus, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has announced it will allow lower-income pension households who don’t receive pension credit to claim from its “Octo Assist” fund.

Discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 will be available to those who apply.

Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, commented: “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.”