Thanks to a particular scheme, some energy customers may be in for a £200 windfall this month. Octopus Energy has extended its support scheme to include those over State Pension age who are not receiving Pension Credit, a move that many of its customers may not be aware of.

This follows the UK Government’s decision to scrap annual Winter Fuel Payments for more than 10 million older people across Great Britain. The change in eligibility means millions of pensioners who received payments between £100 and £300 last year will not receive the money this winter.

However, Octopus has pledged to continue its £30 million assistance fund into this winter, making State Pensioners who do not meet the new criteria for Winter Fuel Payments eligible. In a similar vein, OVO has launched a £50m package of support aimed at helping customers struggling with energy bills as the new, higher price cap takes effect.

Both funds are now open for applications with funding available all-year-round. Octopus Energy’s ‘Octo Assist’ fund can provide discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 and the energy giant is reminding customers that it always charges below the price cap – which has now risen by 10 per cent – shielding customers from £150m of energy costs each year.

They are also helping to protect people against the harsh impact of the energy crisis, with initiatives including free electric blankets for vulnerable customers and loans for heat loss cameras to tackle draughts. Additionally, bespoke energy-saving advice and ‘savings sessions’ are being offered, resulting in over 2 million participants achieving a collective £10.5 million in savings over the past two winters, reports the Daily Record.

Octopus Energy Group’s Founder, Greg Jackson, remarked recently: “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.”

He highlights a crucial issue regarding unclaimed benefits, stating, “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.”

OVO Extra Support Package

OVO has an Extra Support Package of £50 million. Similar to the Octo Assist fund, this package is available throughout the year, with additional support provided during the winter months. This is aimed at helping eligible customers with financial aid and energy efficiency products to navigate through the colder season. Over the past year, OVO has extended its support to over 200,000 customers via its customer support package. The £50m package includes:

• Payment holidays for all prepayment customers so that every penny put on the meter will go towards heating, not paying back debt this winter. OVO is also keeping emergency credit at the increased amount of £15.
• Free energy saving products including electric throws, mattress toppers, and home efficiency kits.
• Energy efficiency upgrades: Customers could receive a wide range of energy-saving measures installed through ECO4 – from loft insulation to a new boiler, or even high-end tech like heat pumps. Eligible customers could get a whole package installed, all for free.
• Financial support including Direct Debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups, and extended repayment plans.
• New partnerships and increased financial relief for customers alongside help for organisations including Warm Welcome Campaign and StepChange.

OVO’s eligibility goes beyond the £150 Warm Home Discount, meaning older people missing out on Winter Fuel Payments may still be eligible for support. Find out more about support from OVO here.

Both Octopus Energy and OVO advisers can also help customers check for unclaimed benefits such as Pension Credit.

Pension Credit

The benefit increases income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including Winter Fuel Payments.

The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Check eligibility for Pension Credit

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

New claims submitted to the DWP by December 21, 2024 which later turn out to be successful will qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.

Expert help and advice is also available from:

Here’s an overview of the benefit, including eligibility criteria, application process, and potential payout. If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also avail other benefits.

Other help if you get Pension Credit

If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• Council Tax discount

Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in

• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment
• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house

Mixed-aged older couples and Pension Credit

In May 2019, the law changed for ‘mixed age couples’ – where one partner is of State Pension age and the other isn’t – they are now considered a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age.

How to use the Pension Credit calculator

Prior to this DWP change, a mixed age couple could claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached State Pension age. To use the Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK, you’ll need details of:

You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.

This includes:

• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
• Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
• Your date of birth
• How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
• Whether you are registered blind
• Which benefits you currently receive
• Where in the UK you live
• Any employment earnings
• Your residential status
• Any savings, investments or bonds you have

Once you’ve answered the necessary questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to look over and alter any answers before you submit it. The Pension Credit calculator then reveals the potential weekly benefit you could receive.

All you need to do now is follow the link to the application page to discover exactly what you’ll receive from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There’s also an option to print off your responses using the calculator tool, aiding in a quicker completion of the application form without needing to recall the same details. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.

Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• are deferring your State Pension

• own more than one property

• are self employed

• have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit

How to make a claim

To make a claim, you can start your application up to four months before reaching State Pension age. You can claim anytime after reaching State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

You will need:

• your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post

• your National Insurance number

• information about your income, savings and investments

If you’re applying by phone or by post, you’ll need your bank account details. If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

Apply online

You can use the online service if:

• there are no children or young people included in your claim

• you have already claimed your State Pension

To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.