Energy-bill support

The schemes and protections that help with energy bills — Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, the price cap and the Priority Services Register.

Reviewed: 3 September 2026
Official sources referenced

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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