It was announced today that inflation rose to 5.4% in the 12 months to December. With the cost of living rising at the fastest rate for 30 years, UNISON understands the financial hardship many members face whether it be due to rising living costs, the removal of universal credit uplift or other inflationary pressures.
In addition, the possibility of added pressure on low-income households looms as gas and electricity costs look set to increase even further in the near future.
There for You’s winter fuel grant programme is designed to help our most vulnerable low-income members and to help ease the worry of paying for their next fuel bill.
It will open for applications on 31 January 2022 and will offer grants of up to £200 for those who are eligible.
Will I be eligible?
- You must be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks subscriptions at the time of applying;
- you do not have savings of more than £1,000, which includes rolling bank balance;
- only one application per household will be considered;
- you/your partner are responsible for household fuel bills.
And either …
you are on a low income:
- for a single person, this means under £18,200 per annum/£350 per week;
- for a family this means under £26,000 per annum/£500 per week.
Or …
you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- housing benefit;
- universal credit.
