Worried about energy bills this winter? Benefits and payments that could save you money

Temperatures are dipping and energy bills will rise from next month, creating more pressure on households already feeling the pinch.

But there are several schemes that could help with heating costs over winter 2026.

From free cash payments to energy discounts, there are lots of schemes available if you know where to look.

Here is how you could save.

Warm Home Discount – £150 off your electricity bill

The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.

In England and Wales, you can qualify if you receive certain means-tested benefits and your name, or your partner's name, is on the electricity bill.

The qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Pension Credit

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You must also be with an energy supplier that participates in the scheme.

The discount is normally applied automatically to your electricity bill rather than being paid directly to you.

Six million households are expected to receive the £150 discount this winter.

The Warm Home Discount is usually applied automatically, so you don't normally need to make a separate claim.

But it is important to check that the correct person is named on their electricity bill.

Winter Fuel Payment – up to £300

The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help older people with their heating bills.

For winter 2026/27, people born on or before 27 June 1960 could receive between £100 and £300, depending on their circumstances.

Most eligible people will receive the payment automatically.

Letters are due to be sent in October or November, with most payments expected to be made in November or December.

There has been an important change for higher-income households. If your total income is more than £35,000, HMRC will recover the Winter Fuel Payment through your tax code or Self Assessment.

If you live in Scotland, you cannot receive Winter Fuel Payment. You may instead qualify for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

Cold Weather Payment – £25 when temperatures fall

Cold Weather Payments are designed to help people receiving certain benefits with the extra cost of heating during periods of very cold weather.

The payment is £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

For winter 2026/27, Cold Weather Payments will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

If you're eligible, the payment should be made automatically.

Pension Credit

If you're over State Pension age and living on a low income, it is worth checking whether you could qualify for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit can top up your weekly income and can also unlock access to other support.

This is particularly important for energy bills because people receiving Pension Credit can qualify for the Warm Home Discount, subject to the scheme's other eligibility rules.

Pension Credit can also help some households qualify for other forms of support.

Local council help with energy bills

Your local council may be able to provide help with essential household costs if you're struggling financially.

The Household Support Fund has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund which is a government-funded pot of cash that councils can access to support local people facing financial hardship.

Unlike national benefits, each council decides how it will distribute the funding, meaning eligibility and the type of support are different across the country.

This means there isn't one standard payment that everyone can claim.

But if you're struggling to pay your energy bill, especially due to unexpected circumstances, check your local council's website to see what support is currently available in your area.