Financial help with energy bills

Energy price increases are big news, and information changes frequently. We've summarised the extra help available here, but MoneySavingExpert is a great place to keep an eye on the very latest energy news and support.

One-off

The £400 non-repayable energy discount started in October 2022. This discount is split into £66 for October and November, rising to £67 for December through to March.

Customers with pre-payment meters with smart meters: this payment will be credited to your electricity account.

Customers with pre-payment without smart meters: you will receive vouchers in the post which are only valid for three months. Make sure you receive them and credit them to your account in time. If you don't, you will miss out.

Household Support Fund

Local authorities will make discretionary payments to people struggling the most to pay their energy bills, called the Household Support Fund.  Local Authorities can decide themselves how this money is distributed so you will need to check with your own Council as to if you may be entitled to any additional help.

Scotland and Wales have been provided with additional funding to provide extra support to households too.

One-off benefit boost

Additional help has been announced for those on the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Tax credit

Additional payments, totalling £900, will be paid as follows:

• £301 Spring 2023
• £300 Autumn 2023
• £299 Spring 2024

In addition, if you receive disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment, you will get an addition £150 one-off payment in Summer 2023.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The 2022/2023 discount was extended to reach three million households in the Winter of 2022. It was automatically applied to qualifying customers. Unfortunately, there is no right to appeal if you think you qualify, but haven't.

Find out if you qualified for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

If you think you qualify, but have not received a payment, you should check with your energy provider to see if a mistake has been made.

If you were eligible, and your provider took part, your £150 Warm Home Discount would have been added to your account in early 2023. If you are on a prepayment meter without a smart meter, you will have received a voucher.

Cold Weather Payment (England)

Has the temperature been below zero degree celsius for the past seven days? You might be able to get a Cold Weather payment if you’re getting certain benefits. The payment gives you £25 for every seven days the average temperature in your area is recorded as (or forecast to be) zero degrees celsius or below.

Find out more, visit the government’s Cold Weather Payment website.

Winter Heating Payment (Scotland)

The Winter Heating Payment of £50 is made to households who are on a low income and have additional heating needs.

You will have been assessed for this based on your circumstances between 7th and 13th November 2022. Those eligible receive a letter from Social Security Scotland and the payment is made direct in or after February 2023.

Find out more, visit How Winter Heating Payment works.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you’re over the age of 66, as of 19 – 25 Sept 2022, you could be entitled to extra money towards your energy bills with the Winter Fuel Payment.  Those who are entitled are set to receive £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Top-Up.  To find out more, please visit the government’s Winter Fuel Payment website and MoneySavingExpert.

• British Gas Energy Support Fund 
• Scottish Power Hardship Fund 
• Ovo Energy Fund
• E.ON Energy Fund
• E.ON Next Energy Fund 
• EDF Energy Customer Support Fund 
• Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’

If you can not get a grant from your own supplier, the British Gas Energy Trust may be able to help as it is open to everyone, not just British Gas customers.

Help with your water bill

Many water companies offer schemes to help people struggling to pay their bills. This could include a reduced tariff or flexible payment plans. Visit the voice for water consumers to find out more about help with my bills.