Support with energy bills

The Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners

This year, these households will get £300 as a top up to the Winter Fuel Payment. It’s likely to be the same for next year’s payment.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme

The Energy Bills Support Scheme gives every household £400 off their electricity bill if paid directly to the energy supplier. You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back. You should have started to get the £400 in 6 instalments starting from October 2022. Anyone who pays electricity as part of their service charge is not eligible for this assistance.

The government have also put a limit for most households on the rates your supplier can charge you for gas and electricity, called the Energy Price Guarantee. You don’t need to do anything to receive this as it automatically applies to all types of energy tariffs. It started on 1st October 2022 and runs until 31st March 2023. It means the average household energy bill is capped at £2,500 per year until March 2023. This is cap is due to rise to an average of £3,000 from April 2023.

Help for those on disability benefits

Those on certain disability benefits should have already received a one-off £150 this year and will receive a further £150 in 2023/24. This includes everyone eligible for the Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Scottish Disability Benefit and War Pension Mobility Supplement.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

You may qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you either:

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, which should be paid automatically onto your account.

• are on a low income and have high energy costs. You will need to make an application via your energy supplier.

What other help you could get

If you’re struggling to pay your bills you might be able to get a fuel voucher or grant from your energy supplier. You will need to contact your energy supplier direct to find out.

If you need somewhere to stay warm

Many local councils now have directories of ‘warm spots or warm spaces’. These are public places which anyone can use to stay warm, for example a library or a town hall.