Energy Grants and Schemes UK 2026 — Help with Bills
Government and supplier schemes to help with energy costs. Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment, ECO4, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and emergency support.
Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Contents
If you are struggling with energy costs, there are several government schemes and other support options that could help — from one-off payments to grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
At or above State Pension age (clawed back above £35,000 individual income)
Cold Weather Payment
£25 per cold spell
Certain benefits, cold weather
ECO4 Scheme
Free insulation/heating
Low income, EPC bands D–G (closes to new applications 31 December 2026)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
£7,500 (up to £9,000 for some off-grid homes, time-limited)
Heat pump replacement
Local council crisis support
Varies
Via local council (Crisis and Resilience Fund in England from April 2026)
Supplier hardship funds
Varies
Customers struggling to pay
Warm Home Discount
Overview
Detail
Info
Amount
£150 off electricity bill
When paid
November – March (scheme year opens each October)
How
Credited to your electricity account
Application
Automatic for most; some need to apply
Who Qualifies
Group
How You Qualify
Core Group
Receive Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit — automatic
Broader Group
On a qualifying means-tested benefit in England or Wales — usually automatic; wound down in Scotland for 2026/27
Broader Group qualifying benefits (England & Wales, 2026/27):
Universal Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefit
The separate “high cost to heat” property assessment has been removed for recent scheme years, so in most cases receiving one of these benefits is enough on its own. Always confirm the exact qualifying list for the current scheme year with your supplier or gov.uk, as it can change.
How to Get It
Situation
Action
Core Group
Automatic — letter confirms payment
Broader Group (England/Wales)
Usually automatic; some suppliers require application
Scotland
Broader Group route closed for 2026/27 — check Home Energy Scotland for any current alternative
Not sure
Contact your energy supplier
Winter Fuel Payment
Overview
Detail
Info
Amount
£200 (aged 66–79) or £300 (aged 80+)
Who for
Everyone at or above State Pension age
When paid
November – December, automatically
How
Paid into your bank account
Clawback
HMRC reclaims the payment via tax if your individual income is over £35,000
Eligibility for Winter 2026/27
Situation
What Applies
Born on or before 27 June 1960
Automatically eligible
Individual income £35,000 or under
Keep the full payment
Individual income over £35,000
Payment reclaimed by HMRC through PAYE or Self Assessment
Live in Scotland
Paid instead as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment by Social Security Scotland
This restores near-universal eligibility after the payment was restricted to Pension Credit recipients only for winter 2024/25 — that restriction was reversed from winter 2025/26 onwards in favour of the income-based clawback above.
How to Get It
Situation
Action
Already receiving State Pension
Automatic — no action needed
Reaching pension age this year
Should receive automatically
Not received it
Check with DWP or call Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Cold Weather Payment
Overview
Detail
Info
Amount
£25 for each 7-day cold spell
Trigger
Temperature 0°C or below for 7+ consecutive days
When
1 November – 31 March
How
Automatic — added to benefit payment or paid separately, within 14 working days