What energy bill help is available in 2026?

Available support includes: Warm Home Discount (£150 off electricity), Winter Fuel Payment (£100-£300 for pensioners), Cold Weather Payments (£25 per cold spell), ECO4 scheme (free insulation/heating), Household Support Fund (via local councils), and energy company hardship grants.

Do I qualify for the Warm Home Discount?

You qualify automatically if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (Core Group 1). You may qualify if you are on low income with high energy costs (Core Group 2) — this includes people on certain means-tested benefits or tax credits. Your supplier will contact you if you qualify.

How do I apply for help with energy bills?

Some help is automatic (Winter Fuel Payment, most Warm Home Discount). For others, apply through your energy supplier (hardship funds), local council (Household Support Fund), or the scheme directly (ECO4 via installer). Contact Citizens Advice if you're unsure what you qualify for.

Energy Grants and Schemes UK 2026 — Help with Bills | PocketWise

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.

Support Overview

Scheme	Amount	Who For
Warm Home Discount	£150	Low income, certain benefits
Winter Fuel Payment	£100–£300	State Pension age
Cold Weather Payment	£25 per cold spell	Certain benefits, cold weather
ECO4 Scheme	Free insulation/heating	Low income, EPC bands D–G
Boiler Upgrade Scheme	£5,000–£6,000	Heat pump replacement
Household Support Fund	Varies	Via local council
Supplier hardship funds	Varies	Customers struggling to pay

Warm Home Discount

Overview

Detail	Info
Amount	£150 off electricity bill
When paid	October – March (varies by supplier)
How	Credited to your electricity account
Application	Automatic for most; some need to apply

Who Qualifies

Group	How You Qualify
Core Group 1	Receive Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit — automatic
Core Group 2	On certain means-tested benefits AND high energy costs — may be automatic or need to apply

Core Group 2 benefits that may qualify:

Income-related ESA
Income-based JSA
Income Support
Universal Credit (depending on income)
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Pension Credit (Savings Credit only)

How to Get It

Situation	Action
Core Group 1	Automatic — letter confirms payment
Core Group 2	Supplier will write if you may be eligible; some require application
Not sure	Contact your energy supplier

Winter Fuel Payment

Overview

Detail	Info
Amount	£100–£300 depending on circumstances
Who for	Everyone at or above State Pension age
When paid	November – December, automatically
How	Paid into your bank account

Payment Amounts

Living Situation	If Born Before 23/9/1944	If Born 23/9/1944 or After
Live alone, own home	£300	£200
Live with someone 80+ (both qualify)	£150 each	£100 each
Live with someone under 80 (both qualify)	£150 each	£100 each
Live with someone who doesn’t qualify	£300	£200
In care home	£150	£100

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	November – March
How	Automatic — added to benefit payment or paid separately

Who Qualifies

You must receive one of these benefits:

Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based JSA
Income-related ESA (certain groups)
Universal Credit (certain groups)

ECO4 Scheme (Free Insulation/Heating)

Overview

Detail	Info
What’s included	Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, boiler upgrade, heating controls, solar panels (some cases)
Cost	Free or heavily subsidised
Who delivers	Energy suppliers (through approved installers)
Duration	Until 2026

Who Qualifies

Criteria	Detail
Benefits-based	On qualifying means-tested benefits
Low income/health	Household income below threshold + health conditions
EPC band	Usually D, E, F, or G
Property type	Most property types eligible

Qualifying Benefits

Income-based JSA
Income-related ESA
Income Support
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Child Benefit (in some cases with income threshold)

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Check your EPC rating (online at EPC register)
2	Check if you are on a qualifying benefit
3	Contact your energy supplier OR
4	Use the Simple Energy Advice website
5	Installer assesses your home
6	Work is carried out

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Overview

Detail	Info
Grant amount	£5,000 (air source heat pump) / £6,000 (ground source heat pump)
What it covers	Part of heat pump installation cost
Who for	Homeowners in England and Wales
Deadline	Until 2028

How It Works

Step	Action
1	Get EPC for your property
2	Find MCS-certified installer
3	Installer applies for voucher on your behalf
4	Grant applied to your installation cost

Household Support Fund

Detail	Info
What it is	Emergency support fund via local councils
What it covers	Energy bills, food, essentials
Amount	Varies by council
How to apply	Contact your local council
Eligibility	Usually for those on low income or in crisis

Energy Supplier Hardship Funds

Supplier	Fund Name
British Gas	Energy Trust
EDF	Energy Fund
E.ON	Energy Fund
Scottish Power	Hardship Fund
OVO	Debt Relief Scheme

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Check your supplier’s website for their fund
2	Usually need to show you cannot pay
3	May need to demonstrate budgeting efforts
4	Often clears debt rather than cash payment

What to Do If Struggling

Step	Action
1	Contact your supplier — they must help
2	Ask about payment plans
3	Check if you qualify for schemes above
4	Contact Citizens Advice for free help
5	Check local council support
6	Consider budgeting review (budget planner guide)

For more on managing energy costs, see our reduce energy bills guide and benefits overview.