Over £3.1m – that’s how much has been paid to families across Swansea in recent weeks as part of a scheme to help people heat their homes this winter.
Funded by the Welsh Government and run locally by Swansea Council, the fuel support scheme means eligible households are entitled to claim a £200 payment.
Since the scheme first went live towards the end of September, the council has processed thousands of applications while also answering hundreds of daily queries by email and phone.
More than 15,600 Swansea households have already been paid, with a further 6,000 applications being looked at as quickly as possible. More and more applications are being received every day.
People have until February 28 next year to apply, with application forms and information on eligibility available at swansea.gov.uk/fuelsupport
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The vast amount paid out to families and households in need in the last three weeks is a credit to all council staff involved.
“This is one of the ways the council is supporting our residents during the cost of living crisis because we recognise the impact it’s having on people’s finances and well-being.
“That’s why we’ve also put a cost of living help website together that gives local people all sorts of helpful information including funding schemes they may be entitled to, as well as details about specialist mental health support, independent debt advice, energy-saving tips, job vacancies, free events and much more.”
The council sent out invitation letters in September to over 21,000 households it was able to identify as eligible for the fuel support scheme, but there are many more households who did not receive a letter who will also be eligible for this support.
That’s why anyone who thinks they’re eligible but hasn’t received a letter is being encouraged to visit the council website for more information.
The fuel support scheme payments are in addition to the energy bill rebate being offered by the UK Government and the winter fuel payment normally paid to pensioners by the Department for Work and Pensions
