CEREDIGION MS Elin Jones is encouraging residents to benefit from a Welsh government scheme to help pay for the costs of heating their homes over winter.

A total of £38 million has been made available through the Winter Fuel Support Scheme, which is part of the package of over £50m to support the increasing cost of living.

The scheme will contribute a one-off payment of £100 to eligible households to provide support towards paying on-grid winter fuel bills for their primary residence in Wales.

“We are all aware that the cost of living is very high at the moment, and so the Government has announced this scheme in the hope that it will be of some assistance over the winter months to many households whom are already facing great financial pressures," said Ms Jones.

"This scheme is a starting point, and the Government is continuing to discuss the cost of living as a wider subject, and I would like to urge everyone whom is eligible to apply for this scheme soon, as it will close at the end of January. ”

The scheme is open to households where one member is in receipt of working age means-tested welfare benefits, including Income Support, income-based Job Seekers Allowance, income releated Employment & Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Working Tax Credits.

A statement from Ceredigion County Council said: "Eligible households can claim a one-off £100 payment to provide support towards paying their on-grid winter fuel bills for their primary residence in Wales.

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

"The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of whether they pay for their fuel on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.

"All applications must be received before midnight on 18 February 2022. Payments for successful applications will be made from January through to end of March 2022.

"If you are experiencing severe financial hardship or require assistance with off-grid fuel costs such as oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or coal, you may wish to make a claim to the Discretionary Assistance Fund."