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Help paying energy bills

If you are struggling with energy bills, there are payments and discounts you may be entitled to, and your supplier must work with you. Bill help is separate from grants for home improvements.

Updated 2 October 2026 · energy.org.uk editorial team

The short answer

  • Check the payments below: some are automatic, others depend on benefits or your age.
  • Tell your supplier early if you cannot pay. Ask about a payment plan you can afford and any hardship fund.
  • Get free, independent advice from Citizens Advice, or Advice NI in Northern Ireland.

Use the energy support finder to see what fits your situation.

Payments and discounts

Help Where What you could get Who it is for
Warm Home Discount England, Wales, Scotland £150 off your bill Households on a qualifying means-tested benefit, named on the bill with a participating supplier
Winter Fuel Payment England, Wales, Northern Ireland £100 to £300 for winter 2026 to 2027 People born on or before 27 June 1960. HMRC takes it back if income is over £35,000
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment Scotland £105.55 to £316.70 People of State Pension age
Cold Weather Payment England, Wales, Northern Ireland £25 for each 7 days of very cold weather, 1 November to 31 March People on certain benefits; paid automatically
Winter Heating Payment Scotland £62 a year People on certain benefits; replaced Cold Weather Payment in Scotland

In England and Wales, the qualifying benefits for the Warm Home Discount are Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

Check

What to check first

  • Whether a payment is automatic. Most are, but check the official page if you think you should have had one.
  • Whose name is on the bill. The Warm Home Discount goes to the person named on the electricity bill.
  • Your Direct Debit and balance. A payment set too high or debt being recovered can make bills feel worse; see is my Direct Debit too high?.
  • The Priority Services Register. If you are of pension age, disabled, have a long-term health condition or young children, join your supplier's register for extra help. It does not reduce prices.

Do

Practical next steps

  1. Use the energy support finder to check which payments may apply.
  2. Contact your supplier, explain what you can afford, and ask about payment plans and hardship funds.
  3. Ask to join the Priority Services Register if it applies to you.
  4. Get free advice from Citizens Advice or Advice NI before agreeing to a plan you cannot keep up.
  5. Never pay anyone to apply for a payment or grant on your behalf.

Take care

Important limitations

  • Amounts and rules are set each year. We checked them on 2 October 2026; always check the official page.
  • Northern Ireland has its own energy market and support, so some GB schemes do not apply.
  • Help with home improvements is separate: see home energy grants across the UK.

Related tools and guides

Sources

Official sources checked 2 October 2026.