Support with rising living costs: Supplement to Saving Energy and Money Guide

Help in the winter

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is a Government initiative which provides an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating costs. Payments are generally made between November and January.

The exact amount depends on your age and if other people in your household also qualify. If you were born on or before 25 September 1957, you are likely to qualify for the winter of 2023-24.

If you have received the Winter Fuel Payment before, then you should receive it again automatically this year. Similarly, if you claim State Pension, you should also receive the payment automatically.

To get started, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You'll need your National Insurance number and your bank or building society details.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme can provide you with a discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You no longer need to apply to your energy supplier, even if you did this in previous years.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you if you are eligible.

Eligibility is based on qualifying benefits plus living in homes with high energy costs.

If you qualify, and your energy supplier participates in the scheme you will receive the one-off discount by 31st March 2024.

To be assessed for the Warm Homes Discount, your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). We understand some households are not receiving the payment because the EPC is missing or invalid.

If you are a social housing tenant, contact your tenancy support officer about this.

If you rent privately, there should be a current EPC in place, but if in doubt, contact us about searching the Register. If you own your own home and don’t have an EPC, contact us about arranging to get a survey done (there will be a charge for this).

Claiming the Warm Home Discount: park home residents

If you live in a Park Home and pay your site owner for your electricity, you may qualify for the Park Home Warm Home Discount Scheme, operated by Charis Grants Ltd and Lightning Reach. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

For more information on who qualifies for the £150 payment and how to apply, visit: www.charisgrants.com /partners/park-homes/

If your application is successful, a payment of £150 will be made directly into your bank account by 31 March 2024.

If you live in a Park Home and receive bills direct from a national energy supplier, you will no longer be eligible to receive the Warm Home Discount, even if you have received it previously.

Cold Weather Payment Help in the winter

If the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below over 7 consecutive days, then if you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll receive £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1st November and 31st March.

Eligibility is dependent on you receiving certain benefits. You do not need to apply. If you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, this will be paid automatically to you after each 7 consecutive days of cold weather and you should receive the payment within 14 working days.