There are six different types of help available to those struggling with the cost of living in the UK
While autumn may usher in cosy evenings snuggled up at home, it can also be a time of worry. The chillier weather brings with it higher energy bills, and shops are already nudging customers that Christmas, and it’s often an additional expense, is just around the corner.
However, assistance is available to millions of Brits. The Department of Work and Pensions is offering some financial aid before Christmas, and other support is also on hand, as reported by Plymouth Live.
This can help cover the increased energy costs, and there’s a small bonus to assist with the festive season. A variety of grants, vouchers, and extra benefits are available, and there are six you might be able to utilise.
Household Support Fund – up to £600
If you’re finding it tough to afford basic necessities, your local council may be able to provide help. The Household Support Fund could be an option if you’re struggling to afford things like:
- energy and water bills
- food
- essential items
Your local authority may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays. Councils determine how their schemes operate. Some councils distribute money through local charities and community groups, and some limit household applications to one per year. Check with your local council to find out what support is available.
Funding is targeted at anyone who’s vulnerable or unable to pay for essentials. You don’t have to be receiving benefits to get help from your local council, and if you are receiving benefits, they will not be affected if you receive a payment.
Winter Fuel Payment – up to £300
Most pensioners are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment, a financial aid designed to help with winter costs. The amount, which can be up to £300, is determined by factors such as your age and who you live with.
This payment won’t affect your benefits and typically doesn’t require a claim. You don’t need to claim it if you’re receiving certain benefits, such as:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
- you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
However, if you’re not receiving any of these benefits, you’ll need to make a claim under specific circumstances. While the majority of eligible people receive this payment automatically, those earning over £35,000 annually will have to repay it unless they choose to opt out.
Warm Home Discount – £150
For those finding it difficult to pay their energy bills, the Warm Home Discount Scheme could provide some relief. This scheme offers a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.
The discount is available to people in England, Wales and Scotland who are on certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit. If you qualify, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill, usually between October and March.
The money isn’t paid directly to you. The scheme for 2025 opens in October and the discount is usually applied automatically if you’re eligible. Only those on a low income in Scotland need to apply – contact your energy supplier to do so.
If your supplier provides both gas and electricity and you’re eligible, you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead. However, it’s worth noting that not all energy firms are part of the scheme. The government currently lists 22 companies as participants:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
Energy grants – up to £1,700
For those grappling with gas and electricity bills, there might be a chance to receive help of up to £1,700. This aid is designed to assist individuals who have fallen behind on their payments, offering grants of up to £1,700.
Several energy companies, including British Gas, EDF, Eon, OVO, Boost, Eon Next, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utilita and Utility Warehouse, offer such schemes. While they all differ, for instance, the British Gas Energy Trust has an Individual and Families Fund available to prepayment meter customers who owe between £50 and £1,700 in energy debt or credit account customers who owe between £250 and £1,700.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply. It’s also open to people supplied by firms without their own schemes. Even if you get your energy from a company with its own scheme, you might still be eligible if you’ve applied to your own provider’s scheme and been declined.
However, there are other terms to consider. These include living in England, Scotland or Wales, having a household income of less than £18,723, or having someone in the home who is registered disabled and receiving a disability benefit.
Cold Weather Payment – £25 a week
Should temperatures drop below freezing for a prolonged spell, you may be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment. This provides £25 for each seven-day stretch where temperatures in your postcode are recorded as, or predicted to be, zero degrees or lower on average between November 1 and March 31.
The payment goes to people receiving specific benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Universal Credit, or Support for Mortgage Interest. It’s processed automatically, so there’s typically no requirement to make an application. Those residing in Scotland cannot receive Cold Weather Payments. Instead, you may be eligible for an annual Winter Heating Payment.
Christmas bonus – £10
The Christmas Bonus represents a one-off tax-free £10 sum distributed before Christmas to those receiving particular benefits during the qualifying week. No claim is necessary – payment should arrive automatically.
To be eligible, you must receive at least one of the qualifying benefits during the “qualifying week”. This typically falls within the first complete week of December.
Married couples, civil partners or cohabiting people will both receive the payment if they meet the criteria. Without claiming your State Pension or entitlement to another qualifying benefit, you won’t receive a Christmas Bonus.