Pensioners urged 'check' after £150 energy bill help expanded this winter

Need to know Pensioners urged 'check' after £150 energy bill help expanded this winter The government has extended the essential Warm Home Discount to cover more people this winter - but campaigners say more needs to be done Need to know: call for increased warm home discount amid rising energy costs - Campaigners are demanding the government increase support for vulnerable households facing soaring energy bills this winter. - The government has extended the Warm Home Discount to cover all households receiving means-tested benefits. Age UK has welcomed the expansion but says the £150 payment should be raised to £200. - "As winter approaches, energy prices are set to rise by 4% from October and will be even higher by January," Age UK told supporters in an email. - The charity is calling on ministers to make the discount more accessible to low-income households. They want changes announced in the Budget on 28 October. - "No one should ever have to choose between their health and their heating bill," Age UK said. The organisation wants the scheme expanded beyond just those claiming means-tested benefits. - The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off payment automatically deducted from energy bills. - READ THE FULL STORY: Pensioners issued £150 energy bill update after discount eligibility expanded