Octopus Energy offers up to £200 of help with energy bills this winter

Octopus Energy has announced up to £200 in support for those who find paying bills an uphill battle this winter. People with low incomes could benefit, notably pensioners stripped of the Winter Fuel Payment by the recent government decision to restrict its distribution to those on Pension Credit and some other benefits.

The energy firm is urging those fretting over financial strains to step up for support. The Labour Government's move to axe the Winter Fuel Payment will affect roughly 10 million older people, including about 2.5 million from modest means.

Until the recent policy change, they had been entitled to up to £300 in financial support. Firms in the energy sector have pledged to help customers, while they continue to weather storms of disapproval over soaring energy tariffs, reports Birmingham Live.

Greg Jackson, Octopus founder, emphasised the duty energy firms have to support vulnerable members of society. His statement made it clear, saying: "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 went on to highlight a significant oversight among pensioners: "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 Credit are not claiming, so we're training our team to help with this too."

Additionally, those who might be missing out on Winter Fuel Payments are urged to look into aid offered by local councils. Through the Household Support Fund, payments will be distributed to individuals facing difficulties covering the cost of