Octopus Energy has promised to send Winter Fuel Payments out to state pensioners who will lose out on their £300 payments this winter.

The gas and electricity supplier has promised to set up its own Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners who will no longer receive the £300 Winter Fuel Payment after it was cut by the government and changed to a means tested benefit based on Pension Credit eligibility instead.

The company said that because ‘fewer UK households are now eligible’ for the government’s help, the firm has decided to ‘step up’ and offer the money itself.

Octopus Energy will send out ‘Winter Fuel Payments’ of between £50, £100 and £200 to state pensioners who are no longer eligible for the government’s official Winter Fuel Payments due to the changes.

It said: “Fewer UK households are now eligible for the government’s £200-300 Winter Fuel Payment this year. And we know many customers depended on this help.

“That’s why we’re stepping up to help bring this support back to customers who need it most: offering our own £50, £100 and £200 ‘Winter Fuel Payments’ to thousands of Octopus customers who’ll no longer be eligible with the recent changes.

Up until recently, the payment went to all UK households with someone over state pension age. Starting this winter, it’ll only go to households who also receive Pension Credit or another one of these benefits.

“This means the number of households who’ll receive the payment will go from around 11 million to just over 1 million. Means-testing the payment helps make sure support goes to customers who need it most – some of the lowest-income households. But no targeting is perfect and we know it could leave some pensioners who are just above the affordability line with additional costs to cover.

“We’re extending our £30m Octopus Assist fund so that thousands of customers missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment and struggling with bills can now claim discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 from the fund.”

To apply, you can go online to Octopus’ website, or do it by phone or email.