Disclaimer: Our website and publications aim to give you general information to help you make financial decisions. They are intended for consumers of UK financial services resident in the UK. The information and tools provided are not advice, nor can they take account of your own particular circumstances. Our helpline can answer general enquiries about financial products and services on 0300 500 5000, and give you information and pointers to help you work out what’s right for you. For advice with a view to making decisions about your own circumstances you should consult a financial, legal or other professional adviser.

© The Consumer Financial Education Body Limited – www.cfebuk.org.uk.

Need help with fuel costs?

While we all expect it to be cold in winter, the current bout of cold weather has been the longest spell of freezing conditions in the UK since December 1981. That’s not good news for our fuel bills, but help is at hand. See below for what’s available and how you can get help.

Help with paying the bills
Help to reduce costs for the future

We've pulled this information together for you from a range of sources including Directgov and the BBC so that it's all in one place.

Help with paying the bills

What is it? A tax-free annual benefit, it is usually paid from November.
Who is eligible? Those aged 60 or over and who normally live in the United Kingdom.
How much? Between £125 and £400 depending on your situation.
How to apply If you have not had the payment before and are not getting a State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit), the payment will not be automatic – you need to apply. See the Directgov website for more information. You can get a claim form by calling 08459 151 515.

Cold Weather Payment

What is it? The payment is made when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees (32F) or below over seven consecutive days.
Who is eligible? You can get this payment if you receive Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or certain other benefits – see the Directgov website.
How much? A one-off payment of £25.
How to apply The payment is made automatically.

British Gas Energy Trust

What is it? The British Gas Energy Trust, which incorporates the Scottish Gas Energy Trust, is a charity that gives grants to help individuals and families in need to meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs.
Who is eligible? You must be a domestic customer of British Gas or Scottish Gas.
What can you get? They can help with arrears of domestic gas/electricity charges as well as other essential domestic bills and costs. You can apply for such help even if you do not apply for help with your gas/electricity charges.
How to apply Call 01733 421060. A winter fuel rebate of up to £90 may be available to British Gas's most vulnerable customers. Please contact British Gas directly on 0800 072 8625.

EDF Energy Trust Fund

What is it? A charity that gives grants and financial and energy efficiency advice to people who have electricity, gas, telephone and, in some cases, other essential household bill debts.
Who is eligible? You must be a domestic customer of London Energy, Seeboard Energy, Sweb Energy or EDF Energy.
What can you get? There are two types of grants. They are for individuals to cover the payment of gas and electricity debts and other essential household bills or costs, and for voluntary organisations working in the field of money advice, debt counselling or energy efficiency advice.
How to apply Call 01733 421060.

Home Heat Helpline

What is it? The Home Heat Helpline is a free, not-for-profit phone line set up to help British energy customers who are struggling to pay their fuel bills and keep warm. The helpline is run by the Energy Retail Association.
What can you get? Call their trained advisers for quick, clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes that you may be entitled to as well as basic steps that you can take to save money on heating bills by making your home more energy efficient. After asking you a few questions the adviser will aim to put your call straight through to the specialist team at your energy supplier, or another advice- or grant-giving agency. Call 0800 33 66 99 or go online.

Help to reduce costs for the future

What is it? A way of providing help to householders to make their homes more energy efficient. All
low-income and pensioner households are entitled to free loft and cavity insulation. Everyone else can get half-price insulation.
How to apply Call ACT on CO2 Adviceline – 0800 512 012.

Community Energy Saving Programme

What is it? A new service to be provided by local councils, voluntary organisations and energy companies. They will target some of the most deprived areas of the UK, carrying out house-to-house calls to offer help.
How to find out if you are eligible Call ACT on CO2 Adviceline – 0800 512 012.

Warm Front Scheme – England

What is it? A grant scheme in England providing heating and insulation in privately owned or rented homes. Depending on an your needs, it will pay for things such as loft insulation, draught proofing, gas room heaters with thermostat controls, gas, electric or oil central heating. Energy advice and two low-energy light bulbs are also available.
Who is eligible? You may get a grant if you get income or disability-related benefits – see the Directgov website.
How much? Grants can be up to £3,500, or up to £6,000 if your home needs oil central heating.
How to apply You will need to complete an application form before an adviser visits you to assess and recommend work for your property. Call 0800 316 2805.

Energy Assistance Package – Scotland

What is it? A four-stage package offering expert energy advice to enhanced energy efficiency measures consisting of draught-proofing, cavity-wall insulation or even a new boiler, depending on your circumstances.
Who is eligible? You may eligible if you get Pension Credit or other income or disability related benefits – see the Energy Assistance Package website.
How to apply Call ACT on CO2 Adviceline – 0800 512 012 or go online.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) – Wales

What is it? Provides grants for energy efficiency measures – such as loft insulation, low-energy light bulbs and gas room heaters – and energy advice.
Who is eligible? You may be eligible if you are pregnant or have children under 16, and receiving certain benefits – see the HEES website.
How much? Up to £2,000.
How to apply Call 0800 316 2815 or go online.

HEES plus – Wales

What is it? Aimed at owner-occupiers or private tenants in Wales, it provides grants for energy efficiency measures and gives tailored energy efficiency advice.
Who is eligible? People aged 60 or over, or one-parent families with a child under 16, and in receipt of certain benefits – see the HEES website.
How much? Up to £3,600.
How to apply Call 0800 316 2815 or go online.

Northern Ireland Warm Homes Scheme – Northern Ireland

What is it? Funded by the Department for Social Development, it is aimed at owner-occupiers and people who rent their homes from private landlords in Northern Ireland. The fund gives a grant for a package of energy efficiency and heating measures.
Who is eligible? You may be eligible if have you are in receipt of certain benefits – see the Warm Homes website.
How much? Up to £850.
How to apply Call 0800 988 0559 or go online.

Warm Homes plus – Northern Ireland

What is it? In addition to the Warm Homes scheme (above), includes measures such as installing new central heating systems.
Who is eligible? The Warm Homes Scheme manager will identify households where additional measures, such as heating or complex insulation, are required. You cannot apply for Warm Home Plus direct – see Warm Homes Scheme.
How much? Up to £4,300.
How to apply You need to apply for a Warm Homes scheme first – call 0800 988 0559 or go online.

You can also contact your supplier, who may be able to help or offer advice if you:

are struggling to pay your energy bills;
want some tips on how to reduce costs; or
want to know what financial help or advice they can offer to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

There’s also lots more information on the Energy Saving Trust website.