The unprecedented rise in energy bills in 2022 has left millions of households concerned about affording electricity and heat. But help is available if you’re struggling to pay your bills, top up your pre-payment meter, or if you find yourself in debt to your energy supplier.
The government offers measures to help some households afford energy, including a support package launched specifically for 2022. Local authorities also run support schemes for residents, for instance offering fuel vouchers to pre-payment customers.
Some energy suppliers run hardship funds to help vulnerable customers pay off debt.
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This government scheme applies a discount to customers’ electricity bills between October to March to help them afford winter heating bills.
From 2022-23, the Warm Home Discount will rise to £150, with the eligibility criteria adjusted.
The discount is now available to:
The discount is applied automatically to electricity bills, but if you believe you’re eligible and don’t receive it, you should contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme team on 0800 731 0214.
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 to help Brits over 66 cover winter heating costs.
During the winter of 2022-23, it’s available to people born on or before 25 September 1956. The amount you receive depends on your age and whether other people in your household also qualify. People receiving Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Income Support typically receive larger payments.
Payments are made between November and December. If you’ve received the Winter Fuel Payment previously or if you’re eligible for the State Pension or another social security benefit payment, you’ll be paid automatically. However, if you don’t receive those benefits, have deferred your State Pension, or moved abroad, you need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Cold Weather Payment is a £25 payment made to eligible households every time the weather in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be 0° Celsius for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March.
It’s paid automatically to most households receiving certain benefits, including:
For more information on eligibility, see the government’s website. To see if your area qualifies for the payment based on weather, use the Cold Weather Payments checker.
Child Winter Heating Assistance is an annual payment from the Scottish Government to the families of disabled children and young people under 19 living in Scotland.
The payments are made automatically from late November onwards and, for the winter of 2022-23, set at £214.10 per eligible child or young person.
The Winter Fuel Support Scheme offers £200 annual payments to Welsh households receiving certain benefits to help them cover heating costs.
Households are eligible if one member receives the following benefits:
To help households with elevated gas and electricity prices in 2022-23, the UK government is offering a package of support worth £9.1 billion. It includes:
The government is also giving £144 million to local authorities in England to help households in need that aren’t eligible for the Council Tax Rebate.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also announced similar £150 council tax rebates, with money given to them by the Treasury for that purpose.
You may also be eligible for energy grants specific to your area. To see what help is available locally, use the government’s Simple Energy Advice website.
Local authorities also run grants and schemes to support residents with their energy bills. For instance, they may offer fuel vouchers to households that can’t afford to top up their prepayment meters. The fuel vouchers are in the form of a code, given to you in a letter, text message, or email, and used to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. To see what support might be available from your council, check their website.
Most major energy suppliers offer hardship funds that offer grants to customers with energy debts. When you apply, you need to provide information about your financial position, typically showing you have minimal savings, and sometimes outline how you will manage your energy bills in the future and accept financial advice.
Supplier hardship funds include: