We are experiencing an energy crisis, a significant bottleneck in the supply of energy resources which results in rising prices. Here’s a summary of the grants and benefits that have been made available to individuals and households to help with energy costs. At the time of writing the Prime Minister, Liz Truss announced a price cap of £2,500 annually for gas and electricity bills from the start of October 2022, visit www.gov.uk for details.

Get a £400 energy discount from the government

The government will give every household £400 off their electricity bill. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme. You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back. 

You’ll get the £400 in 6 instalments starting from October 2022. You’ll get:

• £66 in October and November
• £67 in December, January, February and March

You’ll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card. How you get the discount will depend on how you pay for energy.

Money back if you pay council tax 

A council tax rebate was available from April 2022 to help pay energy bills. The rebate was available for council tax bands A to D.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you get benefits, you might be able to get £150 off your electricity bill or £150 added to your prepayment meter. You don’t need to apply for the scheme - payments are automatic.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter.

You can usually get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 25 September 1956.

You’ll automatically get an extra ‘pensioner cost of living payment’ with your usual Winter Fuel Payment in either November or December.

You should start getting the Winter Fuel Payment automatically once you reach State Pension age, but sometimes you might need to apply.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are one-off payments to help you pay for extra heating costs when it’s very cold.

You’ll get a payment each time the temperature drops below a specific temperature for a set period of time.

You’ll only be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you already get Pension Credit and some Income Support.

Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk for more information.