Energy bill support scheme

startrim

Was/is there any help, like the energy bill support scheme currently running or was it just from October 2022 to March 2023?

la531983

Correct. Unless you are on certain benefits. Are you? 

startrim

No, I am not on any benefits.

Qyburn

Last years indiscriminate hand outs were a panic measure by the Government to buy popularity. There was a huge overlap as well, the flat £400 that proportionately benefited low users the most. And the EPG that benefited average users by much more than the EBSS did, and paid out far more to high users that to low.

I seriously hope we won't see taxpayers money thrown around so indiscriminately again, but rather targeted the needy. Hopefully in doing so they'll remember not everyone has mains gas and allow for that from the start.

la531983

startrim said:

No, I am not on any benefits.

In which case no, that's it then. The 400 quid split over 6 credits to bills are all the non-benefits people got and likely will be getting. 

dealyboy

@Qyburn said:

Last years indiscriminate hand outs were a panic measure by the Government to buy popularity. There was a huge overlap as well, the flat £400 that proportionately benefited low users the most. And the EPG that benefited average users by much more than the EBSS did, and paid out far more to high users that to low.

I seriously hope we won't see taxpayers money thrown around so indiscriminately again, but rather targeted the needy. Hopefully in doing so they'll remember not everyone has mains gas and allow for that from the start.

I understand your point of view.

I benefitted from the EBSS but, by not being on credits/benefits, apart from state pension, I did not receive other cost of living payments apart from an extra £300 on the winter fuel payment and the council tax £150 rebate as I am in Band A. My point is that I have a low income and I have cut down my usage to 'low', so some may consider I was deserving of the EBSS, but I don't think so. Taking EBSS, extra WFP, Council Tax rebate and AFP (Alternative Fuel Payment £200) into account I received more than I spent!

I think this year I will also receive an extra £300 WFP, it is an accident that I am actually on a low income as far as this payment is concerned, I say this only in mitigation for gratefully receiving it.

Spoonie_Turtle

dealyboy said:

@Qyburn said:

Last years indiscriminate hand outs were a panic measure by the Government to buy popularity. There was a huge overlap as well, the flat £400 that proportionately benefited low users the most. And the EPG that benefited average users by much more than the EBSS did, and paid out far more to high users that to low.

I seriously hope we won't see taxpayers money thrown around so indiscriminately again, but rather targeted the needy. Hopefully in doing so they'll remember not everyone has mains gas and allow for that from the start.

I think this year I will also receive an extra £300 WFP, it is an accident that I am actually on a low income as far as this payment is concerned, I say this only in mitigation for gratefully receiving it.

No, it's for all pensioners, nothing to do with income.

Incidentally £300 of it is for a Cost of Living payment for pensioners, it's just easiest to administer it in a payment that's already set up (the existing, previously lower, WFP). 

dealyboy

@Spoonie_Turtle said:

dealyboy said:

@Qyburn said:

Last years indiscriminate hand outs were a panic measure by the Government to buy popularity. There was a huge overlap as well, the flat £400 that proportionately benefited low users the most. And the EPG that benefited average users by much more than the EBSS did, and paid out far more to high users that to low.

I seriously hope we won't see taxpayers money thrown around so indiscriminately again, but rather targeted the needy. Hopefully in doing so they'll remember not everyone has mains gas and allow for that from the start.

I think this year I will also receive an extra £300 WFP, it is an accident that I am actually on a low income as far as this payment is concerned, I say this only in mitigation for gratefully receiving it.

No, it's for all pensioners, nothing to do with income.

Incidentally £300 of it is for a Cost of Living payment for pensioners, it's just easiest to administer it in a payment that's already set up (the existing, previously lower, WFP). 

Hi Spoonie ... sorry I badly phrased it.

I know and I know. I was trying to suggest that it was by luck rather than design that the extra £300 WFP CoLP was going to me, a low income person (SP only) ... but I don't think this extra payment should be made to anyone as it is not targeted ... but I will accept it as it helps me.

Scot_39

I am a low all electric user  - my energy bill forecast dropped under 9% overall in July - and without the EBSS - my bill will actually be £250-300 more - and that ignoring the impact of the last gas spikes (UK 1 month ahead supply up over 40%).

Whilst I gladly accepted the help last year - it is I fear unrealistic to expect universal support like that - and uncapped support like EPG - to last forever.

But whilst pensioners and UC / other benefit claimants continue to get CofL help - many just above qualifying thresholds - and others including on certain disability benefits - will get no such help.

Despite rates currently still over 60% higher than prior to Apr 22 (Aug 21 to Apr 22 cap - £1277 - July 23 £2074 is 1.62x). 

It will be interesting to see whether the govt caves - e.g. if current gas market spikes - really locks in to impact this winters billing. 

And whether any compensation is any more selective / targeted than many of last years efforts - or more as some of it on the face of it seemed - political / populist / knee jerk.  Given 2024 a potential election year - my bet would be sadly on the latter.