Energy bills

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment to help older people in receipt of Pension Credit (or other means-tested benefits) with the cost of heating their home. If you're born on or before 28 June 1960, you may be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Depending on your income, you’ll get an extra £100 or £300 paid with your normal payment in November or December each year.

You won’t need to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment if you’re already receiving one of the qualifying benefits. If you’re eligible, you should’ve received a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.

If you didn’t get a letter or the money hasn’t been paid to you by 27 January 2027,  contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

If you think you may be eligible but you’re not yet claiming Pension Credit, find out if you qualify online using the Pension Credit Checker. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Read the Government website pages about the  Winter Fuel Payment for more details.

If you receive benefits, such as Universal Credit or Job Seeker’s Allowance, and the temperature in your area drops below zero degrees for 7 consecutive days, you’ll automatically be paid £25 into the same bank account as your benefits payments.

You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.

For more information, read about the Cold Weather Payment.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme has closed. It will reopen in October 2026. Find out what to do if you did not get your discount for winter 2025 to 2026.

Read more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme .

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, 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
• Octopus Energy
• OVO Energy
• Scottish Power

Click on your energy provider to see what financial help they're offering. If your energy provider isn't listed above, look online for help being offered by your energy provider. 

You should be able to find a phone number on letters or emails sent by your energy provider. 

The charity Charis helps people pay bills. They partner with energy providers to help those struggling the most. The Charis website has a number of 'open schemes' that show what support is currently available. 

Visit their website to see what help you could get with paying for your energy bills or call them on 01733 421 021.

If you can't 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 website to see if you can get fuel vouchers.