A pensioner is angry to miss hundreds of pounds during the Cost of life crisis due to government changes around the Warm Home Discount program.
Ken Saunders, 69, will no longer benefit from the one-off £150 deduction on energy bills under the scheme as many dwellers in small homes are no longer eligible.
The great-grandfather suffered a double whammy because his energy company Shell pledged to match the aid given to those receiving the Warm Home Discount.
So he will be missing £300 as the bills continue to rise, birmingham live reports.
Speaking to the publication, the father-of-seven said: “They’re taking it away when we need it more than ever.
“I was a little disturbed. First I was told that I needed an energy certificate. It took me a while, I finally got one, then I was always said I wasn’t eligible.
“They said my house was too small. I used to have it, for the last 12 years or so – every year. And I’ll lose twice because Shell matched it.
“I’m going to lose £300 in total, which I find disgusting.”
Mr Saunders, who lives in Frankley, Worcestershire, is one of dozens of retirees and people with disabilities who have discovered that they will no longer benefit from the Warm Home discount.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has claimed that more people will actually benefit from the warm house discount this winter due to the addition of housing allowance to the eligibility criteria, even if thousands of people will also be losers.
But Mr Saunders will now have to use his heating less because of its cost.
“My direct debit has gone from £73 a month to £245,” the pensioner said.
“I don’t put it on as much as possible, if I can help it. I bought a dressing gown, a warm one, and an electric blanket so I could at least keep her on for a few hours.”
Speaking previously, a spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “Our reforms mean more fuel-poor households will benefit from the Warm Home Discount than ever before.
“An additional 780,000 retirees and low-income families will benefit this year compared to last year and this sum is allocated according to the financial situation of the people.”