Extra help for 2023/24

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

Pensioners

People on low incomes

Pensioners

There will be an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their Winter Fuel Payments. This will be paid from November 2023.

Low income households

£900 will be 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 will be paid by Spring 2024

Read our guide Cost of Living support to find out about exact payment dates an eligibility criteria. 

Extra help

Councils have been given extra money to run discretionary funding schemes. This means councils have a lot of flexibility about how they decide to use the money.

If you’re struggling, you should ask your council for help.

FAQs

How do these schemes work together?

Most of these schemes are cumulative, so a pensioner couple with disabilities might get 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

Are these payments taxable?

No, they are not taxable. 

Will these payments affect my other benefits?

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

Do I need to apply for these schemes?

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

If you're struggling at any point, you can ask your council if they have a scheme that can help you. Different councils have set up different schemes, but councils have been provided with money to help people who are struggling. Find and contact your local council here.

Extra help for 2022/23

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

Everyone

Pensioners

Ill and disabled people

People on low incomes

People in Northern Ireland

People who use alternative fuels

People in park homes and care homes

Everyone

Anyone in England, Scotland or Wales paying an electricity bill was able to get £400 taken off their energy account in winter 2022/23. It wasn't paid in cash – it was applied as a discount on your bill. You don't have to repay it.

This replaced the previous scheme where there would be a £200 payment applied to accounts that would then have to be repaid over 5 years.

People who have prepayment meters received vouchers. 

Pensioners

Anyone who was pension age on or before 25 September 2022 (born on or before 25 September 1956) was able to get an extra £300 in addition to the £200-300 Winter Fuel Payment.

This was paid by direct debit in November or December 2022. If you didn't receive a payment before 13 Jan 2023, contact the winter fuel payment helpline.

Ill and Disabled people

There was an extra £150 payment to people who get disability benefits.

To be entitled to this payment, you had to get one of these benefits on 25 May 2022:

• Disability Living allowance; or
• Personal Independence Payment; or
• Scottish Adult Disability Payment; or
• Scottish Child Disability Payment; or
• Attendance Allowance; or
• Armed Forces Independence Payment; or
• Constant Attendance Allowance; or
• War Pension Mobility Supplement.

This payment went out in September 2022.

It was paid in the same way as your disability benefit. For most people, this was by a transfer into their bank account. 

Low income households

£650 was paid in two instalments to households getting one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit; or
• Pension Credit; or
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA); or
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); or
• Income Support; or
• Working Tax Credit; or
• Child Tax Credit.

It was paid automatically by the same mechanism you usually get your benefits, for example, direct transfer into your bank account. 

The first instalment went out from July for people who were getting a qualifying benefit between 26 April and 25 May 2022.

The second payment went out from November for people who were getting a qualifying benefit between 26 August 2022 and 25 September 2022.

Extra help

Councils have been given extra money to run discretionary funding schemes. This means councils have a lot of flexibility about how they decide to use the money.

If you’re struggling, you should ask your council for help.

People in Northern Ireland

All households in Northern Ireland received a lump sum of £600. 

Payments was made made automatically through your energy supplier between 16 January and 28 February 2023. 

You were eligible for vouchers if you didn't pay your bills by direct debit.

Similar support was available for households such as park home residents and tenants whose landlord pay their energy via a commercial contract.

People who use alternative fuels

The government provided extra help to people in England, Scotland and Wales who heat their homes with fuels other than gas or electricity.  

People who heat their homes with heating oil, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or biomass were able get an extra payment of £200 to help with the high cost of these fuels. 

For most people, it was paid through their energy supplier from February 2023 and they didn't need to apply for help.

People who don't have an electricity supplier needed to apply for help.

People in park homes and care homes

People in England, Scotland and Wales who live in park homes and care homes, as well as people who pay their home energy bills to a commercial supplier, was able to get £400 help. 

Payments were made through local authorities.

You needed to apply for this help.

Help from your energy company

Contacting your energy company is the first step if you find yourself in debt with energy bills. 

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, you may worry that your energy supply will be cut off. This is always a last resort for your energy company so it is vital to talk to them straight away and try to work out a solution.

Energy company charitable trusts

Some energy companies have set up charitable trusts to help customers pay for fuel arrears. Some of these are listed on the Turn2us Grants Search. 

If you find it difficult to contact your energy company

Many people find it difficult to approach their energy company when they are struggling to pay bills. If you are unsure, you may find it helpful to talk to an energy advice organisation, such as those listed on the Energy schemes: Useful resources page.

Debt advice organisations

If you need help handling your energy debts, you can get help from free, confidential, responsible debt advice organisations.

Priority Services Register (Energy companies)

Energy companies have registers of customers who would be most at risk if their energy was cut off.

This includes older people, people with illnesses or disabilities, and families with young children.

If you are over 66, ill or disabled, or have children living at home, ask your energy company if you can be added to their Priority Services Register.  

This provides you with free extra services and may help protect you from disconnection if you struggle to pay your energy bills if your supplier has signed up to the Vulnerability Commitment.

Priority Services Register services might include:

• Advance notice of planned power cuts for customers who depend on their energy supply for medical reasons.

• Priority in an emergency (this could include providing alternative heating and cooking facilities in the event of supply disconnection).

• Password protection scheme to provide reassurance that callers, for example meter readers, are genuine.

• Bill nominee scheme – customers can ask their supplier to send their bill to anybody (for example a family member or carer) who has agreed to receive it.

• Prepayment meters – if a customer is unable reach their prepayment meter, they can ask for it to be moved.

• Quarterly meter reading services (if no one in the property is able to read the meter).

• Accessible information – suppliers can provide customers with account and bill information in an accessible format, e.g. larger print or Braille.

• Annual gas appliance safety checks for homeowners. If you do not own your own home, your landlord is responsible for ensuring that any gas appliances, fittings and flues are safe.

If you are on the priority services register, suppliers are not allowed to disconnect your energy during the winter (October to March).

If you have a different supplier for your gas and electricity, you need to register with both.

For more information on who qualifies and how to register visit the Ofgem website.

The Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment

If your supplier has signed up to the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment, they have agreed to a set of principles to protect vulnerable customers. This includes:

• not disconnecting households with children under 6.
• not disconnecting households with children under 16 between October and March.
• not disconnecting households where the customer is unable to protect their own personal welfare because of age, disability, health or severe financial insecurity.

Suppliers may also work with charities and support agencies when they identify signs of vulnerability in a household.

Warm Home Discount Scheme (England, Scotland, Wales)

The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives £150 off energy bills over winter 2023 to 2024.

Some people who did not previously get help might get help now.

Some people who were previously able to get help might not get help anymore.

The scheme is different this year in Scotland compared to England and Wales.

This scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. Read about the Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland, which addresses the effects of fuel poverty and energy inefficiency. 

England and Wales

Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

• Core group 1: People who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

  • You qualify for the discount if on 13 August 2023 all of the following applied:

    • Your energy supplier is part of the scheme 
    • Your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill
    • You (or your partner) get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well).
       

• Core group 2: other people on a low income

  • You may qualify for the discount if on 13 August 2023 all of the following applied:

    • Your energy supplier is part of the scheme
    • You (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits (see below)
    • Your property has a high energy cost score based on its characteristics such as its type, age and floor area
    • Your name (or your partner's) is on the electricity bill

Qualifying benefits and tax credits:

• Universal Credit

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income Support

• Housing Benefit

• Child Tax Credits

• Working Tax Credits

• Pension Credit savings credit

Pre-pay meters

If you have a pre-pay or pay-as you go electricity meter, you can still get the discount. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you'll get the discount, if you're eligible. 

How do I apply for the Warm Homes Discount?

No one should need to apply for the Warm Home Discount in 2023/24.

You'll get a letter between October 2023 and early January 2024 telling you:

• You're eligible and you'll get the discount automatically; or
• You might be eligible, and you need to give more information. The letter will tell you to call the helpline by 29 February 2024 to confirm your details. 

If you don't get the letter by early January 2024 and you think you're eligible, you need to call the helpline by 29 February 2024. 

Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline: 

• Telephone - 0800 030 9322 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

If you're eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2024. 

Park (mobile) homes

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme for is now closed for 2023/24. 

Scotland

Who can get the Warm Home Discount?

There are two groups who can get the Warm Home Discount: the core group and the broader group.

• Core group: pension age people who get guarantee pension credit
   
• Broader group: low income households that are not part of the core group
  • Your energy supplier is part of the scheme
  • You (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits
  • Your name (or your partner's) is on the electricity bill

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?

If you are in the Core group, there is no need to apply. You'll automatically get a letter telling you about the discount if you're eligible. 

If you are in the Broader Group, you do need to apply. Contact your energy company to find out if you're eligible, how to apply and when applications open. The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.

How is the Warm Home Discount paid?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You don't get any money.

If your supplier provides you with gas and electricity, you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead of your electricity bill. Contact your supplier to find out if you can do this if you are eligible for the discount.

When is it available?

The scheme opens each year in early October and runs until the end of March the following year.

Does having the Warm Homes Discount affect any other benefits paid to help with cold weather?

No, it won't affect Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments. It also does not affect the extra cost of living help.

Benefits - Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments

The following Government schemes may be available to you if you are on certain benefits:

• Winter Fuel Payments – This is a payment made to people over pension age (66) to help with fuel costs
• Cold Weather Payments – If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for these if the average temperature in your area falls to 0° Celsius or below for seven days in a row
• Welsh Fuel Support scheme - details for this scheme for 2023/24 have not been announced yet
• Scottish Child Winter Heating Assistance gives extra money over winter to families of disabled children
• Scottish Low Income Winter Heating Assistance - it's not certain when this payment is due and how much it is.

Use our Benefits Calculator to check your entitlement to benefits.

Help with energy efficiency measures

Making your home more energy efficient can make it warmer and reduce energy bills. There are several schemes that may be able to help you with energy efficiency - from the Government, energy suppliers, local councils and other sources.

In England and Wales, there is information on schemes on the gov.uk website.

In Scotland, you can contact Home Energy Scotland for advice and information.

In Northern Ireland, you can contact NI Energy Advice.

If you rent your home, it is likely you will need permission from your landlord to make changes to your home. If your home needs improvements to stop it being very cold, you may be able to ask for changes.

To get advice on your housing rights, contact:

• Shelter Scotland
• Shelter England
• Shelter Cymru
• Housing Rights Northern Ireland

Energy schemes: Useful resources

Citizens Advice (England, Scotland, Wales)

Citizens Advice has information to help you get the best energy deals, apply for energy-related grants and discounts, make energy efficient improvements and much more. Make sure you look at the information relevant to the country of the UK you live in:

• Citizens Advice (England) website
• Citizens Advice (Wales) website
• Citizens Advice (Scotland) website

Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland, see the Overdue Utility Bills on the NI Direct website

Citizens Advice Consumer Service (England, Scotland, Wales)

Citizens Advice Consumer Service can advise you on all matters relating to energy supply, including debt advice and access to cheaper deals. 

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust website has detailed information on how to save energy at home.  Select the UK country you live in from the location menu on the top right-hand side of the home page.

Independent Age

Independent Age, a charity that helps older people, has the following guide:

• Maintaining Your Home

National Energy Action (England and Wales)

National Energy Action is a charity which aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor and vulnerable. 

Available in England and Wales, NEA’s WASH Advice Service is a free support service providing advice to householders in England and Wales on their energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home. It can also help with benefits advice and income maximisation.

Ofgem 

The energy regulator Ofgem's website has information and support for consumers.

Turn2us information

• Turn2us Energy Efficiency Measures information