Government help with energy bills

If you are in debt with your gas and electricity bills, the first thing to do is to tell your supplier. They must help you work out a plan to repay the debt that is affordable for you.

Create a budget for your payment plan (Income and Expenditure Hub)

You can also contact:

• debt charity StepChange for free advice on 0800 138 1111
• your local Citizens Advice for free advice

Suppliers usually ask you to repay debt within 12 months. They can extend this to 2 years if you are disabled or have a long-term health condition.

If you have a prepayment meter, your supplier will use a part of your payments to pay off your debt over an agreed period.

For example, if you pay £5 into your meter, your supplier might use £1 to pay off your debt and put £4 towards your energy supply.

Help with debt

Grants from energy suppliers

Some energy suppliers provide grants for people in debt. You do not always need to be a customer of the company to apply.

Getting financial help from your energy supplier

Until September 2025, local councils have funding for emergency grants. This is called the Household Support Fund.

Each council decides who is eligible for household support.

In England, contact your local council (GOV.UK)

In Wales, you can apply for an emergency assistance payment online (gov.wales)

Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will go to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it. 

You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter.

You do not need to do anything. Payments will be automatic.

If your income is over £35,000, the tax office will recover your Winter Fuel Payment.

Details of the 2025 to 2026 payment will be available by the end of June 2025.

Check if you need to claim Winter Fuel Payment (GOV.UK)

If you are eligible for the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment but have not received a payment by 29 January 2025, call 0800 731 0160.  

Pension Credit can help with the cost of living. You can apply for Pension Credit if you: 

• are above State Pension age 
• and have a low income 

Claim Pension Credit (GOV.UK)

If you get some benefits, you may get a Cold Weather Payment if the average temperature in your area is 0 degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row.

A Cold Weather Payment is £25 for every 7-day period of very cold weather.

You will get the payment within 14 working days after the 7 days of consecutive cold weather.

It is paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments. It is a separate payment. You do not need to apply or pay this back.

Check whether you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment (GOV.UK)

The Warm Home Discount takes £150 off your electricity bill. It replaces the Core Group 2.

It does not affect any other payments you get. If you are eligible, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter about the discount. The scheme re-opens on 16 October.

The payment is:

• added to your meter or account
• or sent to you as vouchers

Every billpayer on means-tested benefits will now qualify: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Income Support, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

Check if you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount (GOV.UK)

If you are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount

If you are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount, ask your energy provider about time to use tariffs.

A time to use tariff is when your electricity is at a cheaper rate for certain hours of the day. Some energy providers offer this during the colder months.

There are no specific gas and electricity discounts for disabled people, apart from the Disability cost of living payment.

If you use and charge medical and disability equipment at home, you could:

• confirm with the supplier if you are on an Economy 7 tariff
• see if you can get financial help from your supplier

Rebates when you use an oxygen concentrator

If you use an oxygen concentrator at home, you can get a rebate for the electricity it uses. The company that supplies your concentrator can make payments to your bank account.

Call the Electricity Rebates (BOC Home Oxygen Service) Patient Service Centre on freephone 0800 136 603.

Call the Electricity Refund (Air Liquide Healthcare) rebate team on freephone 0800 781 9939.