Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 25 September 1957, you should be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. Your age and other factors affect how much you’ll get, but it should be between £250 and £600. These amounts also include the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which is between £150 and £300. This payment is to give you extra help with your energy bills during the winter.

Cold Weather Payment for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

To help with the coldest periods for households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there’s also the Cold Weather Payment.

This is a £25 payment to help with bills for each seven-day period of sub-zero conditions. You qualify for this payment if you’re receiving certain benefits and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The scheme reopens for applications on 1 November 2023 for winter 2023/2024.

Winter Heating Payment for Scotland

If you live in Scotland and are on a low income, you’ll get a £50 Winter Heating Payment each year to help towards heating costs, whatever the weather.

Warm Home Discount for England, Scotland and Wales

If you live in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) you might be eligible for the the Warm Home Discount. This is another winter-only payment of £140 towards energy bills for those who claim the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income.

The scheme is open between October 2023 and March 2024. You need to apply via your electricity supplier but they need to be part of the scheme. Here’s a list of suppliers who take part.

Financial support for renewable technology

If you want to go even further and install renewable energy technology in your home, read our guide to financial support for renewable technology.