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Home Energy Grants & Government Schemes

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Energy grants and schemes

Finding it a struggle to pay your energy bills? You’re not alone - in the UK an estimated 3.5 million UK households are believed to be living in fuel poverty.

Fortunately, there are a number of government energy grants and schemes available to support those who may need help meeting their gas and electricity costs. Read on to discover what help may be available to you.

Government Energy Grants

There are a number of government-backed energy grants and schemes that have been set up to help tackle fuel poverty. We’ve put together a list of those you may benefit from if you or someone you know is struggling to pay their bills.

Warm Home Discount: £140 off your energy bill

Gas flame

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off rebate of £140 applied to energy bills between October and March for those who qualify. Those eligible for the Warm Home Discount are classified in two groups:

  1. Core Group: Primarily those who qualify for the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, this core group receives the Warm Home Discount automatically.
  2. Broader Group: Other energy consumers on low income or means-tested benefits can apply for the Warm Home Discount through their energy supplier. This group must submit their application on a yearly basis.

The Warm Home Discount is run in cooperation with a number of larger energy providers, so contact your supplier to see if they participate in the scheme.

As a result of the rise in the Price Cap announced in February, the Warm Home Discount for 2022/23 will be increased to £150. The eligibility criteria will be extended by almost a third and will benefit up to three million vulnerable households.

Winter Fuel Payment: helping pensioners with their heating bills

This is an annual government grant of between £100 and £300 for retired and elderly people to help with winter heating costs. Unlike some of the other listed energy grants, the Winter Fuel Payment is not means-tested.

To qualify for the 2021/22 Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born on or before 26 September 1955 and have lived in the UK for at least one day of the qualifying week, which was 20-26 September 2021.

Cold Weather Payment: energy grants when temperatures dip

The Cold Weather Payment is a one-off payment of £25 when temperatures in your area are 0ºC or below for seven days or more. To qualify you must already be claiming certain types of benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s allowance. For the full list of eligibility criteria and how to apply, see our dedicated Cold Weather Payment page.

Pension Credit: extra income for older people

Pension Credit is a tax-free, means-tested benefit designed to supplement monthly household income for retirees who need it. There are two parts to Pension Credit:

  1. Guarantee Credit
  2. Savings Credit

The Guarantee Credit element tops up weekly earnings to £177.10 if you are single or £270.30 if you claim as a couple, while the Savings Credit element can add up to an extra £14.04 for single people and £15.71 for couples. Those who qualify for Guarantee Credit may also receive the Warm Home Discount automatically.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO): lower bills and reduced carbon emissions

The ECO scheme is a government-backed initiative to reduce carbon emissions and, in turn, lower heating bills for households that qualify for the scheme.

Larger energy suppliers are legally obliged to install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, double glazing and draught-proofing. Depending on your circumstances, you could even be eligible for subsidised boiler repairs or replacement.

Whether you are eligible for funding or not depends on a number of different factors. Check with your supplier to see if you can benefit from the scheme.

Energy grants

Energy Company Schemes

Some suppliers also run their own energy grants and schemes to provide financial aid to those who need it - and you don’t necessarily have to be a customer to take advantage of them.

British Gas Energy Trust

The British Gas Energy Trust can offer support with a number of issues, including assistance in paying overdue energy bills and funding for boiler repairs or replacements.

You can apply for an energy grant even if you’re not a British Gas customer as, despite its name, the British Gas Energy Trust is an independent trust, registered as a charity.

Scottish Power Hardship Fund

If you’re a Scottish Power customer, you may qualify for the Scottish Power Hardship Fund. Administered by an independent body in Social Enterprise Direct (SED), the fund offers energy grants of between £100 and £3,000 to households with overdue gas or electricity bills or debts in order to ease fuel poverty

E.ON Energy Fund

The E.ON Energy Fund provides E.ON customers with financial assistance in a number of different areas, from contributing to paying overdue energy bills to financing the replacement of inefficient appliances and faulty boilers. In some cases, the E.ON Energy Fund can also provide e-learning vouchers to help fund the study of online courses in finance management.

OVO Energy Fund

The OVO Energy Fund is a debt support fund that can help vulnerable OVO customers who have fallen behind in paying their bills. Energy grants from the fund are made directly into the customer’s OVO account.

Cold Weather Payment: eligibility and how to apply
Home with Cold Weather Payment benefits
Schemes -

Cold Weather Payment: eligibility and how to apply

Do you qualify for the Cold Weather Payment? Find out how you could receive a winter fuel allowance of £25 for every 7 days of freezing weather.

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