Benefits & Support

Energy 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.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

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.

Energy bills remain a concern for many households. Here’s all the help currently available.

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

Useful Contacts

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.

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Sources

  1. GOV.UK — Winter Fuel Payment
  2. GOV.UK — Cold Weather Payment