Energy Grants, Discounts and Help with Bills in the UKEnergy Bill Support Schemes UK — Current Help Available
Guide to current energy bill support in the UK. Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, and other help with gas and electricity costs.
Energy bills remain a concern for many households. Here’s all the help currently available.
If you want the full starting point for UK energy support, including grants, discounts and when to switch from practical energy advice to benefits help, use our Energy Grants, Discounts and Help with Bills hub.
Current Energy Support Schemes
Overview of 2024/25 Support
| Scheme | Who For | Amount |
|---|
| Winter Fuel Payment | Pensioners | £100-£300 |
| Warm Home Discount | Low income, certain benefits | £150 |
| Cold Weather Payment | Certain benefit recipients | £25 per week |
| Household Support Fund | Low income (via council) | Varies |
| Supplier hardship funds | Struggling customers | Varies |
Winter Fuel Payment
What It Is
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Annual payment | For winter heating |
| Who gets it | People over State Pension age |
| Amount | £100-£300 |
| Automatic | For most eligible people |
Payment Amounts
| Situation | Amount |
|---|
| Born before 23 September 1958, living alone | £200 |
| Born before 23 September 1958, with partner same age | £200 (shared) |
| Aged 80+ | Additional £100 |
| In care home | £150 |
Eligibility Changes 2024
| Change | Details |
|---|
| Now means-tested | In some cases |
| Linked to | Pension Credit receipt |
| Check | gov.uk for current rules |
How You Get It
| Method | Details |
|---|
| Automatic | If receiving qualifying benefits |
| Paid | November/December |
| Into | Same account as pension/benefits |
Warm Home Discount
What It Is
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| One-off discount | On electricity bill |
| Amount | £150 |
| When applied | October-March |
| Who pays | Your electricity supplier |
Core Group 1 (Automatic)
| Eligible If… | Details |
|---|
| Receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit | As of certain date |
| Energy supplier participates | Most large suppliers |
| Payment | Automatic, no application |
Core Group 2 (May Need to Apply)
| Eligible If… | Details |
|---|
| On certain benefits | And high energy costs |
| Low income | Below threshold |
| Property type | High energy cost property |
| Assessment | By DWP |
How to Get It
| Situation | Action |
|---|
| Core Group 1 | Automatic — letter confirms |
| Core Group 2 | May be automatic or need to apply to supplier |
| Check with supplier | If unsure |
Cold Weather Payment
What It Is
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Payment | £25 per 7-day cold period |
| Triggered | When temperature forecast is 0°C or below for 7+ days |
| Automatic | No claim needed |
| Multiple payments | Possible in very cold winter |
Who Gets It
| Eligible If Receiving… | And… |
|---|
| Pension Credit | Any component |
| Income Support / JSA / ESA (income-based) | With certain premiums or elements |
| Universal Credit | With certain elements |
Elements/Premiums That Qualify
| Benefit | Qualifying Element |
|---|
| UC | Limited capability for work, child under 5 |
| IS/JSA/ESA | Disability premium, pensioner premium, child under 5 |
How You Receive It
| Method | Details |
|---|
| Automatically | Based on your postcode |
| Into | Normal benefits account |
| Timing | Within 14 days of cold spell |
Household Support Fund
What It Is
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Government funding | To local councils |
| Purpose | Help with essential costs |
| Includes | Energy bills, food, essentials |
| Discretionary | Councils decide criteria |
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact your local council |
| 2 | Explain your situation |
| 3 | Council assesses need |
| 4 | Support provided if eligible |
What’s Covered
| May Help With | Details |
|---|
| Energy bills | Direct payments |
| Food | Vouchers or bank payments |
| Essential items | Clothing, household goods |
| Water bills | Some councils |
Supplier Support
Hardship Funds
| Supplier | Fund |
|---|
| British Gas | British Gas Energy Trust |
| EDF | Energy Support Fund |
| EON | EON Energy Fund |
| Scottish Power | Hardship Fund |
| Octopus | Grants available |
How to Access
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact your supplier |
| 2 | Explain financial difficulty |
| 3 | Ask about hardship fund |
| 4 | May need to apply separately |
Other Supplier Support
| Support | Details |
|---|
| Payment plans | Spread debt |
| Priority Services Register | Extra help if vulnerable |
| Benefit entitlement checks | Supplier may help |
| Energy efficiency advice | May be available |
Other Help
Charitable Grants
| Organisation | Who They Help |
|---|
| British Gas Energy Trust | All, not just BG customers |
| Turn2us | Grant search tool |
| StepChange | Debt advice + grant connections |
| Charis Grants | Various utility grants |
Energy Efficiency Schemes
| Scheme | Details |
|---|
| ECO4 | Free insulation, boilers for eligible households |
| Great British Insulation Scheme | Insulation for certain homes |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Heat pump grants (different eligibility) |
Priority Services Register
| What It Is | Details |
|---|
| Free service | From suppliers |
| Who for | Disabled, chronically ill, elderly, vulnerable |
| Benefits | Priority reconnection, meter reading help, bill in accessible format |
| How to join | Contact your supplier |
If You’re Struggling to Pay
Steps to Take
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact supplier before missing payments |
| 2 | Ask about payment plans |
| 3 | Request hardship fund information |
| 4 | Check benefit entitlement |
| 5 | Apply for Warm Home Discount if eligible |
| 6 | Contact local council (HSF) |
Your Rights
| Right | Details |
|---|
| Can’t be cut off | If vulnerable (on Priority Services Register) |
| Payment plans | Supplier must offer affordable options |
| Can’t force prepayment meter | New rules on forced installation |
| Debt repayment | Must be affordable |
Summary: Energy Help Checklist
Check Eligibility For
| Scheme | Who Should Check |
|---|
| Winter Fuel Payment | Over State Pension age |
| Warm Home Discount | Low income, Pension Credit |
| Cold Weather Payment | On qualifying benefits |
| Household Support Fund | Anyone struggling |
| Supplier hardship fund | Anyone in debt/difficulty |
Key Actions
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Check benefit entitlement | May unlock other support |
| Join Priority Services Register | If vulnerable |
| Contact supplier early | Before debts grow |
| Apply for Warm Home Discount | Before deadline |
| Check council support | HSF and local schemes |
| Service | Contact |
|---|
| Citizens Advice | 0800 144 8848 |
| Winter Fuel Payment Centre | 0800 731 0160 |
| Turn2us (grant search) | turn2us.org.uk |
| Your council | For HSF |
| Your energy supplier | For hardship help |
Don’t struggle in silence — help is available but you usually need to ask or apply.
You Might Also Find Useful