UK Energy Bill Help: Support Low-Income Households Can Check in November 2026

Information checked: November 8, 2026, at 9:08 p.m. UTC (9:08 p.m. GMT).

Low-income households facing energy bills this winter can check several forms of help now, including the £150 Warm Home Discount in Great Britain, emergency support from their supplier, and assistance from local councils. Eligibility and application routes differ across the United Kingdom.

A new £100 Household Energy Payment is also due to start in England from January 2027 for eligible households in council tax bands A to D. It will not solve an immediate payment problem, so anyone struggling today should contact their supplier and check local crisis support now. The government’s energy bills announcement sets out the planned payment and its current eligibility details.

Destaques

• The Warm Home Discount provides an eligible household with £150 off its electricity bill; Scotland has different application rules from England and Wales.
• England’s £100 Household Energy Payment is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with separate discretionary funding for some households outside the main scheme.
• Suppliers can discuss affordable repayment plans, hardship funds and temporary prepayment meter credit.
• Cold Weather Payments, pension-age heating help and local crisis support have separate eligibility rules.

Who can get the £100 Household Energy Payment?

According to the government, the payment is for households in England that are liable for council tax on a property in bands A to D and live there as their main home. Most households exempt from council tax will be included, although the government says full eligibility criteria are still to be published. Second homes, empty properties and households where the householder is not responsible for council tax are excluded.

If you pay council tax by direct debit and meet the rules, the government says the payment will go directly into your bank account. If you do not pay by direct debit, your council will invite you to apply. Check your council tax band and make sure your council has the correct contact details. Contact the council using a number or website you have found independently if a message about the payment looks suspicious.

The government has also announced £100 million for councils to provide discretionary help to households affected by energy bills that do not qualify for the £100 payment. Councils will set their own criteria and publish application details when arrangements are ready. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive additional funding, but their governments will decide how to use it; the English payment should not be assumed to apply there.

How does the £150 Warm Home Discount work?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-time £150 reduction on an eligible household’s electricity bill, rather than cash paid into a bank account. It is available in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland. People with prepayment meters can qualify; their supplier can explain how the discount will be provided, such as through a top-up voucher.

In England and Wales, the current rules look at whether, on August 23, 2026, you or your partner received a qualifying means-tested benefit, had your name on the electricity bill, and had a supplier participating in the scheme. Eligible households, and some households that need to provide more information, should receive a letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027. Contact the scheme if no letter arrives by early January. If a letter asks for further information, respond by the deadline it gives; the government lists February 26, 2027, as the deadline for confirming details.

In Scotland, some eligible households receive the discount automatically, while others must apply to their electricity supplier. Supplier criteria can differ and the number of discounts is limited, so contact your supplier early, even if you received help last year. For eligible households, the discount is due to be applied by March 31, 2027. Park home residents have a separate application route described on the scheme’s overview page.

What should I do if I cannot pay my energy bill?

Contact your supplier using the details on your bill and explain what you can realistically afford. Ofgem says you can ask for a payment plan, a payment break or reduction, a review of debt repayments, and access to any hardship fund or grant. Have a recent bill, your account details and a simple list of income and essential expenses ready. Ask for any agreement in writing and contact the supplier again if the amount becomes unaffordable.

If you cannot afford to top up a prepayment meter, tell your supplier before your credit runs out if possible. Ofgem says suppliers must offer help, such as extra credit in a vulnerable situation or while a payment arrangement is worked out. Temporary credit must be repaid, so ask how repayment will affect future top-ups. A fuel voucher may also be available through a council, food bank or Citizens Advice; it is separate from temporary supplier credit.

Can my council help with energy costs?

Local assistance can help with urgent essentials, including energy, but the amount and application process depend on where you live. In England, ask your council about the Crisis and Resilience Fund. You do not have to receive benefits to be considered, although local eligibility rules apply. Councils may also direct residents to local charities or community organizations.

Residents of Scotland can check the Scottish Welfare Fund, while those in Wales can check the Discretionary Assistance Fund. The government’s local support guide explains how to find your council and describes these routes. Ask what evidence is needed and whether support can be provided quickly if you are at risk of losing heat or power.

Are there extra heating payments in winter?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, eligible people receiving certain benefits may get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each qualifying seven-day period between November 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. The local average temperature must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. Payment is normally automatic, but receiving a qualifying benefit does not always mean every household qualifies: additional conditions can apply. Check the Cold Weather Payment guidance and postcode checker.

Scotland uses a separate Winter Heating Payment for eligible people, regardless of local weather conditions. For older residents, the Winter Fuel Payment guidance says eligible people born on or before June 27, 1960, could receive £100 to £300 for winter 2026–27; most eligible people are paid automatically in November or December. Scotland has a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Check the relevant rules rather than assuming that age alone guarantees a payment.

Can home improvements reduce future energy bills?

Insulation and other home energy improvements can reduce the energy a household needs, although the benefit depends on the property and the work carried out. Government support includes the Energy Company Obligation and, for eligible households in England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The government’s energy support guide links to the schemes and their eligibility rules. Ask whether an assessment, landlord permission or a household contribution is required before agreeing to work.

For the months ahead, the £100 English payment and council discretionary support depend on the announced timetable and local arrangements. Check your council’s updates for application details. In the meantime, seek supplier or local crisis help promptly if the next bill or meter top-up is unaffordable.

FAQ

Can I get the Warm Home Discount on a prepayment meter?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility rules. Ask your supplier how it will deliver the discount; it may provide a voucher for your meter.

Do I need to apply for a Cold Weather Payment?

Eligible payments are normally automatic when the local weather trigger is met. Check the benefit and household rules if you are unsure.

Can I get council help if I do not receive benefits?

Possibly. In England, receiving benefits is not required for Crisis and Resilience Fund support, but your council sets its local eligibility criteria.