The winter period is an expensive period for many households when using energy but support is available out there

Households are saving £147 on their energy bills thanks to a special scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The savings are being made by households in the West Midlands region.

A council in the county is providing financial support for households who meet its eligibility criteria.

READ MORE: Households warned three reasons they could be denied special DWP payments

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Solihull Council has made available £147 top-up payments for tenants of Solihull Community Housing who have biomass heating, which uses renewable energy methods to generate heat.

Funding for the top-ups has come from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) via its Household Support Fund (HSF).

The scheme in Solihull is being administered and managed by Act on Energy on behalf of the council.

Explaining what support is available, a spokesperson for the scheme said: “Financial support in the form of a one-off top-up of £147 directly onto your energy billings meter.”

Solihull Council issued four sets of criteria that would make households eligible for payments. There are that applicants:

• Heat their home using biomass and are a tenant of Solihull Community Housing
• Have a combined gross household income of no more than £31,000 annually
• Have no household savings, although pensioners can have up to £10,000 in savings individually
• Have someone living in the home who has a vulnerability

Stating what is defined as a vulnerability, Solihull Council said this could range from someone suffering a long-term diagnosed and treated health condition, either physical or mental, having unmanageable debts, being disabled and in receipt of benefits, or in receipt of other benefits. See the criteria here.

A spokesperson for the council said: “This funding is made available through the Department of Work and Pensions to support people through the cost of living crisis.”

They added: “We will let you know if your application has been successful as soon as we can – but this may take a few weeks.”