Maximise your income

The UK Government has confirmed that Winter Fuel Payments will return for all state pensioners in England and Wales for winter 2025/26.

Here’s what you need to know:

💷 Automatic payments of £200 (people under 80) or £300 (people over 80) will be made to all eligible state pensioner households. For pensioner couples, the payment will usually be split between the couple.

📝 You don’t need to apply – the money will be paid to you automatically.

🚫 You can choose not to get the payment if you don’t need or want it.

🔁 This is a change from last year when only some pensioners got the payment.

⚠️ Watch out for scams!  This is a government payment — you will not be contacted for bank details. So if anyone calls, texts, or emails asking for your bank details – it’s a scam. Just ignore it or report it.

This winter, more people will get help with their energy bills. The Government is expanding the Warm Home Discount to support more low-income households across England and Wales.

Here’s what you need to know:

💷 £150 will be taken off energy bills automatically for eligible households. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead, provided your supplier supplies both your gas and electricity.

💡 You need to be on certain benefits (like Universal Credit or Pension Credit) on 25 August 2025 (the qualifying date for the payment)

📝 No need to apply – the discount will be added automatically between October 2025 and March 2026

⚠️ Watch out for scams!
You don’t need to apply. So if anyone calls, texts, or emails asking for your bank details – it’s a scam. Just ignore it or report it.

For handy information about the update from Money Saving Expert, visit: Warm Home Discount to be extended – Martin Lewis’ MSE News

Household Support Fund

The Government has extended its Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households in most need of support to help with significantly rising living costs, including help with heating or other home energy costs. We’re waiting to hear from Cornwall Council for funding awarded for winter 2024/25. If you live in Cornwall and are struggling to afford to heat your home, or cannot afford an urgent heating repair or replacement, please contact us.

Find out more about

• Pension Credit
• Council Tax Support
• Housing Benefit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance