Up to £20 million off fuel bills for poor pensioners

Around 250,000 pensioners will start getting £80 off their next electricity bill from this month, thanks to a deal by the Government and the leading energy suppliers announced earlier this year.

Up to £20 million will be paid out by the largest energy companies in a one-off rebate to some of the pensioners who need the most help with their fuel costs.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to all those who are eligible to let them know either that their rebate will be paid automatically, or asking people to call our Helpline and confirm their entitlement.

The DWP shared some of its customer data securely with the energy companies so they could identify the poorest pensioners.

Steve Webb, Minister of State for Pensions, said: "This cash will help thousands of pensioners get help with their fuel bills who might otherwise be struggling to make ends meet. As many rebates as possible will be awarded automatically, however this will not apply in all cases.  If anyone gets a letter from us asking them to call our Helpline they should ring straight away to make sure they don't miss out."

Those eligible are households where at least one person is aged 70 or over, receiving the guaranteed element of Pension Credit but not the savings credit element, are responsible for the electricity account where they live and don't already benefit from a discounted tariff.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Gregory Barker, said: "This scheme is a huge step forward in the way we help the most vulnerable people in society pay their fuel bills in the future. Fuel poverty remains a massive concern and the coalition government is committed to being far more effective in the way it helps those most in need."

The energy suppliers participating are British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, ScottishPower, and Scottish and Southern Energy and their subsidiary companies.

The Government will evaluate the scheme, which is operating under an existing voluntary agreement with these energy suppliers, and see what lessons can be learned for tackling fuel poverty in the future.

More information is available at direct.gov.uk/energyrebate