Energy Bill Help UK — All Schemes Explained

Struggling with energy bills? Here’s every scheme that can help.

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

Contact Supplier Immediately

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

Related Guides

Topic	Guide
Benefits check	Benefits Guide
Council Tax help	Council Tax Reduction
Budgeting	Money Guides

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.