From Cold Weather Payment to the Winter Fuel Payment and more, here are the many energy grants you can apply for in the UK that will help you pay for your heating bill this year.

The Winter Fuel Payment

Winter fuel payments is an annual one-off payment by the UK that helps you pay for heating during the winter months. If you were born on or before January 5th 1953, you qualify. Also, you must live in the UK or a qualifying country.

Those that do qualify receive between £200 and £300, depending on your age. If you live alone, you usually get more money than if your spouse is still living. If your spouse is still living, but you also receive certain other government benefits, you may receive a higher amount.

Otherwise, payments typically range between £100 and £150.

You will receive a letter in the post telling you how much you qualify for and what your estimated payment will be. Most payments are made between November and December. All benefits are paid directly into a bank account – no cheques.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are one-off payments, like Winter Fuel Payments, which help you pay for extra heating costs when the temperature is very cold. Every time the temperature drops below a specific temperature for a set period of time, the government will issue you a Cold Weather Payment.

You are only eligible for this payment is you already receive income support, pension credit, an income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

This subsidy is to help you make your heating bills on time. But, you can also save money by turning the thermostat down, further increasing the value of the benefit payment. Read this beginners guide for more information.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Yet another grant offered by the UK government is the Warm Home Discount Scheme. You may qualify for £140 off your electricity bill if you are on a low income or if you receive the guarantee credit part of the Pension Credit.

Grants To Pay Off Your Energy Debts

If you’re in debt over your energy bills, you might be able to get a grand from a charitable trust organisation to help pay it off. Some energy companies offer grants to anyone, so you don’t necessarily need to be a customer of theirs. For example, E.on Energy Fund and the British Gas Energy Trust offer grants for any individual to help make heating payments.

Some companies only offer grants to their own customers. The EDF Energy Trust, npower Energy Fund, Scottish Power Hardship Fund, Ovo Energy Fund, and SSE Priority Assistance Fund are some examples of private energy companies that help customers pay for their heating and cooling costs.

Extra Help

If you’re a pensioner, sick, or disabled, you might qualify for additional help over and above all the grants. The program is called the Priority Services Register, and it can help you get a reading of your energy meter, help you move your meter free of charge, and help you get your bills sent out or copies to someone else so that they get paid on time.

Jayden Mitchell is a part-time writer/blogger interested in eco friendly homes. He hopes to one day build his own green home and spends a lot of time researching these topics for his own home along with his articles.

Categories: General