Energy-bill support | Consumer Rights

Energy is one of the biggest strains on household budgets. Alongside grants to
make your home cheaper to heat, there’s a set of schemes and protections aimed
squarely at helping with the bills themselves — and some are paid
automatically if you qualify.

Payments you may get

Warm Home Discount — a £150 one-off
discount on your electricity bill over winter for eligible low-income
households. It’s usually applied automatically if you qualify.
Cold Weather Payment — £25 for each
seven-day spell of freezing weather in your area, for people on certain
benefits.
Winter Fuel Payment — a payment towards heating costs for
people over State Pension age. From winter 2025–26 it’s paid more widely,
but recovered through the tax system from anyone with an income over
£35,000.

The energy price cap

If you’re on a standard variable tariff, Ofgem’s price cap limits what you pay
per unit of gas and electricity and the standing charge. It changes every
three months, so your bill can move up or down through the year. The cap
limits unit rates — it isn’t a cap on your total bill, which still depends on
how much you use.

Extra help and protection

If you’re of pension age, disabled or have a health condition, join your
supplier’s free Priority Services Register — it brings extra
support such as advance warning of power cuts, priority reconnection and help
reading your meter. If you’re behind on your energy bills, your supplier must
work with you on an affordable payment plan, and many run hardship funds or
trust funds that can help clear arrears. You should never be left unable to
top up a prepayment meter without support.

What to do next

Ask your supplier about the Warm Home Discount, the Priority Services Register
and payment help. To make your home cheaper to heat in the first place, see
the grants on our Grants and funding hub and our
suppliers, bills and meters
page.

Sources

GOV.UK (Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, Winter Fuel Payment); Ofgem
(energy price cap; Priority Services Register). Reviewed: 3 September 2026.

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