Energy Financial Support UK — Winter Fuel, Cold Weather PaymentsEnergy Bill Help UK — All Schemes Explained
Every scheme to help with energy bills. Government support, supplier help, grants, and how to reduce your bills. Updated for current schemes.
Struggling with energy bills? Here’s every scheme that can help.
Read more: See our Cost Of Living guide for a complete overview of this topic.
Main Support Schemes
Overview
| Scheme | Amount | Who For |
|---|
| Warm Home Discount | £150 | Low income, benefits |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £100-£300 | Pensioners |
| Cold Weather Payments | £25/week | Benefits claimants |
| ECO4 | Free improvements | Low income, poor housing |
| Supplier hardship funds | Varies | Struggling customers |
Warm Home Discount
What It Is
| Fact | Details |
|---|
| Amount | £150 |
| Applied to | Electricity bill |
| When | Autumn/Winter |
| Automatic for some | Others must apply |
Core Group (Automatic)
| Who Gets It Automatically | Details |
|---|
| Pension Credit Guarantee | Usually automatic |
| Some other benefits + criteria | Depends on energy use data |
| Letter confirms | Look out for it |
Broader Group
| Who Can Apply | Details |
|---|
| Low income | Check supplier criteria |
| On certain benefits | Varies by supplier |
| Must apply | Usually October-March |
| Limited places | Apply early |
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Check supplier scheme |
| 2 | Check eligibility criteria |
| 3 | Apply online or by phone |
| 4 | Provide evidence requested |
| 5 | Hear back within weeks |
Winter Fuel Payment
Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Born before set date | Check current year |
| Living in UK | During qualifying week |
| Not in care home full year | Reduced if so |
Amount
| Age | Amount |
|---|
| Younger pensioners | £100-£200 |
| 80+ | £150-£300 |
| Living with other pensioner | Split or £100 each |
Payment
| When | Details |
|---|
| November-December | Usually |
| Automatic | If getting State Pension |
| Must claim | If not getting SP |
Cold Weather Payments
When You Get It
| Trigger | Payment |
|---|
| 0°C or below | For 7+ consecutive days |
| Your area | Based on postcode weather station |
| Automatic | If eligible |
| £25 per cold spell | Multiple possible |
Who’s Eligible
| Must Be Getting | Details |
|---|
| Pension Credit | Any element |
| Income Support/income-based JSA/income-based ESA | Plus disability premium OR child under 5 OR pensioner premium |
| Universal Credit | Plus limited capability for work or child under 5 |
ECO4 Scheme
What You Can Get
| Improvement | Usually Free If Eligible |
|---|
| Loft insulation | Yes |
| Cavity wall insulation | Yes |
| Solid wall insulation | Sometimes |
| New boiler | If broken and inefficient |
| Heat pump | In some cases |
| Other measures | Depending on home |
Eligibility
| Criteria | Requirements |
|---|
| Benefits | On qualifying benefits |
| Income | Below income threshold |
| Property | Poorly insulated (EPC D-G) |
| Tenure | Owner or some tenants |
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact energy supplier |
| 2 | Or find ECO installer (Simple Energy Advice) |
| 3 | Assessment of property |
| 4 | Measures installed free/subsidised |
Warning: Scams
| Red Flag | Action |
|---|
| Cold callers | Be cautious |
| Upfront payment requested | Never pay |
| Pressure to sign | Refuse |
| Check installer | On scheme register |
Supplier Hardship Funds
What They Are
| Fact | Details |
|---|
| Supplier schemes | Each has own fund |
| Amounts | £100-£1,000+ in some cases |
| Application | To your supplier |
| For customers in debt | And financial hardship |
Major Supplier Funds
| Supplier | Fund |
|---|
| British Gas | Energy Trust |
| EDF | Customer Support Fund |
| E.ON | Energy Fund |
| Octopus | Assistance Fund |
| Scottish Power | Hardship Fund |
| Others | Check your supplier |
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact your supplier |
| 2 | Explain situation |
| 3 | Ask about hardship fund |
| 4 | Complete application |
| 5 | Provide evidence |
Priority Services Register
Free Support
| Help Available | Details |
|---|
| Priority reconnection | If supply interrupted |
| Advance notice | Of planned outages |
| Gas safety checks | Free annual check |
| Special communication | Braille, large print |
| Nominee scheme | Someone else contacts |
Who Can Register
| Eligibility | Examples |
|---|
| Pensionable age | 66+ |
| Disabled | Physical or mental |
| Chronic illness | Long-term conditions |
| Visual/hearing impaired | Sensory impairments |
| Mental health conditions | Including dementia |
| Caring responsibilities | Including for children |
How to Register
| Action | Details |
|---|
| Contact supplier | Gas and electric separately |
| Or network operator | For distribution network |
| Free | No charge |
| Review regularly | Update if circumstances change |
If You Can’t Pay
| What They Must Do | By Law |
|---|
| Discuss payment options | Before disconnection |
| Offer payment plan | Based on ability to pay |
| Not disconnect | If vulnerable, in winter |
| Consider circumstances | Before any action |
Payment Options
| Option | Details |
|---|
| Payment plan | Based on what you can afford |
| Fuel Direct | Deducted from benefits |
| Debt repayment | Added to regular payments |
| Hardship fund | Clear debt |
Prepayment Meters
| If You Have PPM | Help Available |
|---|
| Can’t afford to top up | Emergency credit |
| Friendly credit | At certain times |
| Fuel vouchers | From supplier or charity |
| Support schemes | All still apply |
If Being Disconnected
| Your Rights | Details |
|---|
| Must try alternatives first | Payment plan etc |
| Can’t disconnect vulnerable | Special protections |
| Winter protection | Additional rights |
| Appeal process | Dispute the decision |
Reducing Your Bills
Quick Wins
| Action | Typical Saving |
|---|
| Turn thermostat down 1°C | £145/year |
| Draught excluders | £125/year |
| LED bulbs | £65/year |
| Turn off standby | £70/year |
| Shorter showers | £95/year |
Bigger Changes
| Action | Potential Saving |
|---|
| Switch tariff | £100-300/year |
| Insulation | Major long-term |
| Smart thermostat | Better control |
| More efficient appliances | Over time |
Free Efficiency Help
| Source | Help |
|---|
| ECO4 scheme | Free insulation |
| Local council | Energy efficiency grants |
| Charities | Free advice |
| Simple Energy Advice | Government site |
Emergency Help
If You Have No Energy Now
| Action | Details |
|---|
| Contact supplier | Emergency credit |
| Local council | Emergency support |
| Charities | Urgent fuel payments |
| Warm spaces | Local heated buildings |
Charities That Help
| Organisation | Help Available |
|---|
| Turn2us | Grant finder |
| Charis Grants | Utility grants |
| Citizens Advice | Emergency help |
| Local charities | Area-specific |
Checklist: Getting All Help
Check Eligibility For
| Scheme | Checked |
|---|
| Warm Home Discount | ☐ |
| Winter Fuel Payment | ☐ |
| Cold Weather Payments | ☐ |
| ECO4 scheme | ☐ |
| Priority Services Register | ☐ |
| Supplier hardship fund | ☐ |
| Council schemes | ☐ |
Actions to Take
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Contact supplier about help | ☐ |
| Apply for Warm Home Discount | ☐ |
| Register for Priority Services | ☐ |
| Check benefit entitlements | ☐ |
| Ask council about local schemes | ☐ |
| Consider ECO4 improvements | ☐ |
Reduce Bills
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Compare tariffs | ☐ |
| Check thermostat | ☐ |
| Draught-proof | ☐ |
| Turn off standby | ☐ |
| LED bulbs | ☐ |
Summary
If You’re Struggling
| Priority | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Contact supplier today |
| 2 | Ask about hardship fund |
| 3 | Set up affordable payment plan |
| 4 | Apply for Warm Home Discount |
| 5 | Check all benefits entitlements |
Key Numbers
| Contact | For |
|---|
| Your energy supplier | Payment help, schemes |
| Citizens Advice | Free advice |
| Simple Energy Advice | Government efficiency help |
| Turn2us | Find grants |
Don’t struggle in silence. Energy suppliers have duties to help customers in hardship, and there are schemes specifically designed to reduce bills for those who need it most. Contact your supplier and check every scheme you might be eligible for.