Energy schemes - Extra help for 2023/24

Extra help for 2023/24

There were a few cost of living schemes aimed at different groups:

• Pensioners
• People on low incomes

Pensioners

There was an extra £150 - £300 paid on top of Winter Fuel Payments. This was paid in November 2023.

Low income households

£900 was paid in three instalments to households getting certain benefits.  

• First instalment of £301 was paid during Spring 2023
• Second instalment of £300 was paid during Autumn 2023
• Third instalment of £299 was paid by Spring 2024

For more information on the criteria of the 2023 payments, please read our Cost of Living support guide.

Extra help

Councils were given extra money to run discretionary funding schemes. This meant councils had a lot of flexibility about how they used the money.

FAQs

How did these schemes work together?

Most of these schemes were cumulative, so a pensioner couple with disabilities got the following during 2023/24:

• £150 or £300 extra as well as their Winter Fuel Payment of £250 - £600, and 
• £150 payment alongside their Attendance Allowance
• £900 payment along with their Pension Credit

Were these payments taxable?

No, they were not taxable. 

Did these payments affect my other benefits?

No, getting these payments didn't affect your other benefits. 

Did I need to apply for these schemes?

Most of these schemes were designed to pay people automatically so you didn't need to apply.