THE WELSH Government has extended the winter fuel support scheme, administered locally by Gwynedd Council.

The payment for eligible households has also increased, from £100 to £200.

Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 payment to provide support towards paying their on-grid winter fuel bills.

In accordance with the Welsh Government criteria, the scheme is open to households where one member is in receipt of certain welfare benefits.

This sum will be available to new applicants and retrospectively paid to those who have already applied.

Councillor Ioan Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We know that there are a large number of households who are finding it difficult to heat their homes this winter and we are pleased to be administering this payment here in Gwynedd.

“So far, the Council’s Finance Department has received approximately 5,000 applications from Gwynedd households.

“The scheme has recently increased the payment that will be available for eligible households – but if you have already submitted an application, you do not need to contact the Council to claim your additional funding, this will happen automatically.”

The scheme is open to households where one member is in receipt of working-age means tested benefits at any time during the qualifying period 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022.

Anyone who requires financial assistance with off-grid fuel costs (such as oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or coal) can consider applying to the Discretionary Assistance Fund for help. More details here https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf.

Gwynedd residents applying for the scheme must submit their application by 28 February 2022 on the Council website at www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/winterfuelsupport.