What energy bills help is available amid the cost of living crisis?

If you’re concerned about energy costs, here’s what help is available (Picture: Getty)

Energy bills have been a significant factor in the rising cost of living.

Many will be looking for ways to cut back on their usage, such as draught-proofing their home, in a bid to save money – as well as scouring the internet for general cash-saving tips.

However, there are numerous schemes and grants to help you if you are struggling with your energy bills – in addition to the services to reach out to if you can’t pay at all.

Here are the key financial aids to be aware of.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme

The Energy Bills Support Scheme will slash money off most people’s energy bills (Picture: Getty)

Millions of households will receive £400 off of their energy bills automatically with the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The discount does not need to be repaid, and you don’t need to get in touch with your supplier about it – unless you haven’t received the discount automatically for October, or if you’re on a traditional prepayment meter and you haven’t received your voucher.

How does it work? From October 2022, a discount of £66 will be applied to your monthly energy bills, rising to £67 a month from December 2022 until March 2023.

Most of us will get this support – as all households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are due to get it, with Northern Ireland operating a separate scheme.

How to apply: You don’t! It’s automatic, either coming off your bill directly or if you’re on a traditional prepayment meter, you’ll receive a voucher to redeem.

More information: Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme on the gov.uk website.

Cost of Living Payment

There is a Cost of Living Payment available for some on means-tested benefits (Picture: Getty)

Some households receiving means-tested benefits may be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment. These benefits include:

Universal CreditIncome-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income SupportPension CreditChild Tax CreditWorking Tax Credit.

Anyone on these benefits may receive £650 worth of help in 2022, paid in two instalments (£326 and £324).

For most, the first payment will already have been made in July. A second payment is due between November 8 and November 23, 2022, for most people.

Some people on Tax Credits may have received their first payment between September 2 and 7, and will get the second ‘later this winter’ – which is worth being aware of.

How to apply: Paid automatically, if eligible.

More information: Find out more about the Cost of Living Payment on the gov.uk website.

Disability Cost of Living Payment

Those on disability benefits can get an extra payment (Picture: Getty)

There is more help available for those on disability benefits.

If you are on Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance for adults (or some others), you may qualify for an additional lump sum of £150.

This has already been paid, from September 20 onwards, and most people should have received this by the beginning of October.

However, if you haven’t, it is worth contacting the DWOP to see if you are due a payment.

How to apply: Paid automatically, if eligible.

More information: Find out more about the Disability Cost of Living Payment on the gov.uk website.

More: Cost of living

Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

Pensioners born before a certain date can get the Winter Fuel Payment to help with heating costs (Picture: Getty)

During winter, pensioners can receive between £100 and £300 to assist in paying heating bills, via the Winter Fuel Payment.

If you were born on or before September 25, 1956 and lived in the UK for at least one day from September 19 to 25, 2022, you may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

Most payments are made in November or December, with a final deadline of January 13, 2023.

This year, this will be topped up by a one-off ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ of between £150 and £300.

How to apply: Paid automatically (if you get the State Pension or another social security benefit).

More information: Find out about the Winter Fuel Payment on the gov.uk website.

Cold Weather Payment

When the temperature goes sub-zero, some are able to get a Cold Weather Payment, too (Picture: Getty)

During bouts of particularly cold weather, recipients of certain benefits can receive additional assistance via the Cold Weather Payment.

If the average temperature in your area is recorded as (or forecast to be) zero degrees celsius or below for over seven consecutive days, then you should receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.

People on the below benefits may be entitled to this support:

Pension CreditIncome SupportIncome-based Jobseeker’s AllowanceIncome-related Employment and Support AllowanceUniversal CreditSupport for Mortgage Interest.

How to apply: Paid automatically if eligible and conditions are met.

More information: Find out about the Cold Weather Payment on the gov.uk website.

Warm Home Discount

You can check with your energy supplier to find out if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount. (Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

If you live in a low-income household, you may be eligible for an additional £150 rebate on your winter energy bills.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme, you may qualify for the discount – which would come off your bill rather than being paid to you directly.

How to apply: Check with your energy supplier.

More information: Find out about the Warm Home Discount on the gov.uk website. 

Additional grants

Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to secure additional grant money to help with the cost of your energy bills, potentially through your energy company or local authority.

Citizen’s advice lists the following companies as providing grants:

British Gas Energy Support FundScottish Power Hardship FundOvo Energy Fund E.ON Energy FundE.ON Next Energy FundEDF Energy Customer Support FundBulb Energy Fund Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’.

If you have spoken with a debt advisor, then you may also be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust, even if you aren’t a British Gas customer.

Simple Energy Advice, which offers government-backed energy advice, also runs a service for checking if there are grants specific to your local area. All you need is your postcode to search their database.

National Energy Action is a national fuel poverty charity which can also offer advice and assistance to those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

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Help is on hand if you are struggling with the cost of energy.