Money & Budgeting

Energy 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.

By PocketWise · · 5 min read

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
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.

Sources

  1. MoneyHelper — Everyday money