Octopus Assist

What is the Winter Fuel Payment and what’s changing?

The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment (of either £200 or £300) to help pension-age households cover their bills in the winter.

Up until recently, the payment went to all UK households with someone over state pension age. Starting this winter, it’ll only go to households that also receive pension credit or another one of these benefits.

This means the number of households who’ll receive the payment will go from around 11 million to just over 1 million. Means-testing the payment helps make sure support goes to customers who need it most – some of the lowest-income households. But no targeting is perfect and we know it could leave some pensioners who are just above the affordability line with additional costs to cover.

What are we doing?

We’re extending our £30m Octopus Assist fund so that thousands of customers missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment and struggling with bills can now claim discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 from the fund.

How do I apply for help through Octopus Assist?

We’ll ask you to share some information about your health, any vulnerabilities, income and monthly costs so we can work out the best ways we can help you.