The Ofgem energy price cap has just risen from £1,720 to £1,755 for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit
Energy bills have just gone up again – but there are a few schemes available that can help keep costs down this winter.
The Ofgem price cap has just risen from £1,720 to £1,755 for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit. But there isn’t actually a total cap on what you can pay for energy.
Your bill is still charged based on how much gas and electricity you use. The Ofgem price cap limits what you can be charged for units of gas and electricity, as well as standing charges.
Winter Fuel Payment – £300
Winter Fuel Payments are worth between £100 and £300 and are paid to pensioner households. The total amount paid to your household depends on your age and the age of anyone you live with.
You will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959. If you earn over £35,000, you will be sent the payment, but then you will have to pay it back through the tax system. This income threshold is based per person.
For example, if you earn £30,000 a year and your partner earns £40,000, you would keep your share of the Winter Fuel Payment but your partner would have to pay theirs back. Winter Fuel Payments are typically issued from November onwards.
Warm Home Discount – £150
You can get £150 off your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme. This is applied to your energy account, or as a voucher if you’re a prepayment customer.
If you live in England and Wales, you must be claiming certain benefits such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit to get the Warm Home Discount.
If you live in Scotland, the payment is automatic if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, but for other benefits, you need to apply through your energy supplier.
The Warm Home Discount is normally applied from October onwards. There is no Warm Home Discount scheme in Northern Ireland.
Cold Weather Payment – £25
Cold Weather Payments are issued when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.
Each payment is worth £25, although you can get multiple payments if you go through several spells of freezing weather. This scheme is currently closed but will reopen in November 2025.
You need to be living in England or Wales and claiming certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest to be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment.
If you live in Scotland, you might be entitled to a Winter Heating Payment instead, worth £59.75.
Other energy bill help
Talk to your energy provider as soon as possible if you are struggling to pay your bill. Your energy firm may be offered includes a payment plan, payment breaks and affordable debt repayments.
Most of the major energy firm offer hardship funds or grants for people who are in energy debt – and these normally do not need to be paid back.
You normally have to be a customer to get help, but the British Gas Energy Trust offers grants worth up to £1,700 for people that aren’t a British Gas customer.
Finally, several charities can offer you support and guidance if you are struggling to pay for your energy, or if you are in energy debt.
For wider debt help, speak to: