How to get £300 towards your energy bills this winter - fuel payments explained

mirror.co.uk:

Thousands of people could get up to £300 to cover their energy bills over the next six months. The scheme - known as Winter Fuel Payments - could get you between £100 and £300 to help with gas and electricity over the cold snap.

Winter Fuel was introduced around 20 years ago to help older people who were being forced to choose between eating and heating.

It's a universal entitlement, and automatically paid to anyone who qualifies over the age of 64. The scheme covers the period between November and December each year - those eligible should get their money by 14 January in the winter they're claiming it.

It's paid directly into your bank account. The deadline for claiming payments for winter 2020 is 31 March 2021 - here's how to make a