Written question WQ98735
- Asked by
- Iain McIntoshReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how many pensioners are currently eligible for means tested financial support towards energy costs?
Answer
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality (Sioned Williams)
The UK Government provides means tested financial support for the cost of electricity and gas through the annual Warm Homes Discount. Statistical information on this can be found at Warm Home Discount statistics, 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK and policy questions on the scheme should be directed to the UK Government’s Minister for Energy Consumers.
The Welsh Government is providing £200 of financial support through the Off Grid Heating Fuel Support Scheme, which is available to pensioners who are eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and rely on heating oil or LPG. We estimate a total of approximately 20,000 – 25,000 households may be eligible including pensioners in receipt of pension credit.
Wider support for pensioners in Wales on means tested benefits or low incomes is available through our Warm Homes Nest scheme. Nest can provide eligible households with fully funded packages of energy‑efficiency and low‑carbon to help lower energy bills and improve thermal comfort.