As the temperature drops, households up and down the UK are turning on their heating for the first time - but for many it will bring further financial hardship during the cost-of-living crisis.
They will be helped by the fall in the energy price cap on October 1, which reduced the typical household bill to £1,923, compared to £2,074 previously - however, this is still more than 50 per cent higher than pre-crisis level and will do little to help many pay their bills.
Those born before September 25, 1957, could receive between £250 and £600 to help pay for the heating over the winter period under the Winter Fuel Payment. Those eligible will receive a letter in October or November showing how much they will receive, with the amount given boosted by a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment.
Households can get £25 each time the average temperature in their area is, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days, between November 1 and March 31 under the Cold Winter Payment. More than nine million households have built up no energy credit going into winter a recent survey found.
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