Looking after your boiler
Looking after your boiler is especially important in the lead-up to winter. Going without hot water and heating is...
With the cost of living having an impact on everyone's energy bills, understanding what help is available and which cost of living payments you're eligible for may help ease some of your worry.
If you're finding it hard to keep up with energy price increases this winter, you might be entitled to financial support.
This is a one-off payment of £150 to help with the cost of energy over winter. It's usually added as credit to your electricity bill. You're entitled to this if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit or if you're on certain qualifying benefits and have high energy costs.
Find out more about the Warm Home Discount scheme
You could be entitled to an annual one-off payment of £100-£300 depending on how old you are, who you live with and any benefits you receive.
If you're over State Pension age – which is currently 66 years old – and receive the State Pension then you should be paid automatically. Payments are usually made between November and December.
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payments
This is a payment to help those considered most in need with the rising cost of food, gas and electric, and water bills. Each local council decide their own eligibility criteria – though money should be specifically set aside for older people. Contact your council if you want to know more.
If you're not currently claiming means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, it's worth putting in a claim as soon as possible.
When making a claim, you should request backdating on the claim form as it won't be done automatically. It's important to act quickly as Pension Credit can only be backdated for up to 3 months.
If you want to know more, use our online benefits calculator or call the Age UK advice line on 0800 678 1602.
If you're finding it difficult to keep up with energy bills or you owe money to your energy supplier, your supplier has a duty to help.
You can ask your energy supplier for:
You may be able to register for Priority Services depending on your circumstances, this includes if you're over State Pension age or if you're living with a disability. The Priority Services Register gives you access to a range of support, including priority assistance in an emergency, advance notice of planned power cuts and help with prepayment meter access and meter readings.
Find out more about the Priority Services Register on the Ofgem website
Each energy supplier and network operator has its own Priority Services Register. You can register with both by phone or, for some companies, you can register online.
Find your energy supplier and your network operator on the Ofgem website
Some energy suppliers have their own special funding schemes or provide support through national schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation. These provide a range of financial support, debt relief, energy advice, and the installation of energy efficiency improvements which can help lower your bills. Check with your supplier to see what support you might be entitled to.
Do you know what benefits you're entitled to? Our online benefits calculator can help you quickly and easily find out what you could be claiming.
The Government has some measures in place to limit how much people have to spend on their energy bills.
The price cap applies to most households in Britain and it aims to protect customers by setting a maximum amount that suppliers can charge per unit of energy. However, it's important to note that bills are still based on your usage, so you may pay more or less than the price cap level.
The cap is reviewed every 3 months, so it may change – you can check the current price cap level on the Ofgem website using the link below.
Find out more about the energy price cap on the Ofgem website
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
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