Energy bills

The Energy Price Guarentee will rise to £3000 on 1 July 2023.

The Energy Bills Support scheme has ended. The government no longer gives every household direct payments off their energy bill.

The winter fuel payment is a one-off payment to help older people with the cost of heating their home. If you're born on or before 25 September 1957, you are entitled to the winter fuel payment.

You will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.

If you've received a winter fuel payment before, you should get your winter fuel payment automatically.

If you're eligible for the winter fuel payment and did not get a payment last winter, you must make a claim. Call the winter fuel payment centre on 0800 731 0160 to claim by phone or read about the winter fuel payment for more details.

If you receive benefits and the temperature in your area drops below zero degrees for seven consecutive days, you will automatically be paid £25 into the same bank account as your benefits payments.

For more information, read about the cold weather payment.

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, please speak to your energy supplier as soon as possible about what help is available.

Some energy providers are offering grants to customers who are finding themselves in serious hardship and unable to pay their energy bills. Most of the grants encourage you to seek free financial advice before applying for assistance.

Energy providers who are offering grants and support include: 

• British Gas
• EDF
• EON 
• OVO Energy
• Scottish Power
• SSE

Click on your energy provider to see what financial help they are offering. If your energy provider is not listed above, look online for help being offered by your energy provider. 

If you cannot afford to top-up your prepayment meter, your local council may be able to supply you fuel vouchers which you can use as credit.

Visit your local council's wesbite to see if you can get fuel vouchers.