Warm Home Discount and other winter financial support

Energy bills can make up a large part of your outgoings in winter. This is why it’s important to be aware of what financial support you may be entitled to.

• Warm Home Discount 
• Winter fuel payment
• Cold weather payment
• Grants
• Other financial support
   

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 payment applied to eligible customers’ electricity bills, between October and April.

Not all suppliers participate in the Warm Home Discount Scheme, so you should consider this when considering switching suppliers. The following government resource includes a full list of energy suppliers participating in the Warm Home Discount scheme: Warm Home Discount Scheme: Energy suppliers - GOV.UK.

How much could I get?

Everyone who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Scheme will receive a £150 contribution towards their energy bills over winter. This is paid through a credit to your electricity account or a prepayment voucher between October and April.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

Am I eligible?

All those receiving Pension Credit Guarantee are automatically eligible for the Warm Home Discount.

If you are part of another means-tested benefit such as Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Job Seekers or Employment and Support Allowance you may also be eligible for the Warm Home Discount. If you are then you will be contacted each winter to receive the discount.

Your property must also have a high energy cost score to be eligible for the scheme. This is not based on the actual energy costs in your energy bill. It’s calculated based on your property’s type, age and floor area.

For more information on the Warm Home Discount and to check eligibility see the government website which is updated annually and speak to your energy supplier.

Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment to help with heating costs. Most payments are made between November and December.
 

Am I eligible to claim Winter Fuel Payment?

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.

You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.

Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if you’re not sure if you’re eligible. You cannot make a claim by phone.

Winter Fuel Payment Centre Telephone: 0800 731 0160
 

How much could I get?

For 2024, you’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.

The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.

Any money you get is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits.
 

If you live alone

You’ll get either:

• £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944
   

If you live with someone

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

• £200 if one or both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

You’ll be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.
 

If you live in a care home

If you’re eligible you’ll get either:

• £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944
   

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payment is extra money for people receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, when there's very cold weather.
 

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

You get £25 a week for each 7 day period of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year.

Cold weather is defined by the Met Office as being when the average temperature has been‚ or is expected to be‚ 0°C or below for 7 days in a row. The Met Office uses specific weather stations that forecast and record these temperatures including Cold-Health Alerts.

Am I eligible for the Cold Weather Payment?

The average temperature in your area needs to have been 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days for you to receive the Cold Weather Payment. You can check your area’s temperature by using the DWP’s cold weather payment postcode checker. You also need to be receiving certain benefits, such as one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
   

How can I claim a Cold Weather Payment?

If you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid automatically after each 7 day period of cold weather. You should receive your payment within 14 working days.

Contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but didn't. If you receive Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344.

Energy grants to help pay off your energy debts

If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help pay it off.

The following energy companies offer grants and schemes that are open to anyone - you don't have to be a customer:

• British Gas Energy Trust Grant

There are also companies who offer grants specifically for their customers:

• npower Energy Fund
• Scottish Power Hardship Fund
• Ovo Debt and energy assistance
• E.on Energy Fund
• EDF Energy Customer Support Fund
• Bulb Energy Fund

When you apply for a grant, you'll have to provide detailed information about your financial situation in your application. It could take a while to complete, and it might be worth getting help from a friend or family member. You can also talk to an adviser for help filling in forms.

Before you apply

Charitable trusts like you to show that you have received debt advice before you apply. Debt advice can help you manage your debts and increase your chances of making a successful application.

Other financial support available

Many older people in the UK don’t claim the benefits they are entitled to. 

There is a range of financial support available to help pay for housing costs such as rent, fees and other charges.

You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Age UK office for a benefits check and further advice on other financial support you may be eligible for.

Visit the Citizens Advice website for more information.

Some energy companies also have trust funds that can be applied for. These sometimes clear debt or offer a debt matching service, where the energy company will match any payments that you make.

Winter financial assistance with Anchor

Anchor's benefit entitlement calculator can help you find out what benefits are available and how to claim them. Find out more about our entitlement calculator here.

For further information and financial advice, read our financial guides here. 

Or contact our helpful team.