Seven ways to get free cash for energy bills worth up to £5,710 as 10million set to lose Winter Fuel Payment

HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of winter energy bill support worth £5,710 as 10million are set to lose out on a £300 benefit.

Thousands of families are concerned about their finances this winter after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made changes to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Now, only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, are eligible for the cash boost worth up to £300.

This decision will strip 10million pensioners of the tax-free handout which is used to help fuel their homes over the winter.

The move has been met with backlash from a rake of charities and the opposing Conservative Party.

However, Labour has maintained the cuts are necessary to help improve the country’s finances, including a £22bn black hole allegedly left behind by the Tories.

Asked recently how he could justify the cut by GMB star Susanna Reid, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Well, it’s tough and I think the first thing to say and to explain is why we had to do it.

“We inherited a really damaged economy, we did an audit and we discovered an undisclosed £22billion black hole this year, which we have to fix.’

If you fear you may struggle to afford your energy costs this winter you should note some of the other financial help available.

Pension Credit – £3,900 

It is thought around 800,000 are missing out on this benefit which gives you extra money to help with your living costs.

Pension Credit also helps those on a low income with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

To meet the criteria for the benefit you must have a weekly income which falls below around £218 if you are single.

If you live with a partner and you are both state pension age then your weekly income must fall below around £350.

This is a separate to your state pension and you can qualify for the scheme even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

The support also opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and the Winter Fuel Payment.

When applying, you must flag if you are single or living with a partner.

You’ll be eligible if either:

• You and your partner have both reached the State Pension age
• One of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age

The benefit acts as a top-up to your weekly income and you could get £218.15 if you are single or £332.95 if you have a partner.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

You can apply for Pension Credit online, over the phone or by post.

You can start your application up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by 3 months.

This means you can get up to 3 months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

Warm Home Discount – £150

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount on your electricity bill.

If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.

Applications for the scheme opened this month, but there is a chance you will not receive the payment until March.

To qualify you’ll usually need to be actively claiming one of a number of means-tested benefits during the qualifying week – which is usually in August.

However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date and once it’s confirmed.

If you qualify for the WHD, you should receive a letter telling you. These are usually sent between October and January.

It is also worth noting that there is a separate £150 scheme available to those who live in parked homes.

Applications for the scheme opened on October 2, with the fund operated by charity group Charis Grants.

You can read more about the scheme here.

Household Support Fund (HSF) – up to £500

Struggling families can apply for help through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).

The scheme, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, was first launched in 2021.

It was extended for the sixth time in September, giving thousands of families a chance to get the extra support.

The last round of funding ended last month, but applications may still be accepted by some local authorities.

Each area is set to open up the scheme again this October, with the new funding in place until April 2025. 

But it is worth remembering how much you can get depends on whereabouts you live and the money will either be given to you as a direct cash transfer, shopping voucher or in another form.

To find out what you may be eligible for, visit your local council’s website.

If you’re unsure of the name of your council, find out using the Government’s council locator tool.

Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the amount handed out varies across the country.

But in the past, some families have had up to £500 help.

Energy grants – £100s

Many of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers have grants in place to help support struggling customers. 

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas previously had an energy grant scheme in place, with the hardest-pressed households receiving a grant of up to £2,000.

The firm also has launched a debt reduction scheme called ‘You Pay: We Pay’.

Struggling customers will also be able to get part of their debts wiped via what’s known as debt matching.

Elsewhere, fellow supplier EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers’ bills. 

It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship. 

To apply you must visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.

Check directly with your supplier to see what help is available.

Prepayment meter vouchers and credit – £50

You can get temporary credit from your supplier, but you will have to pay this back.

In many cases, suppliers offer around £10 to £20 if you run out and can’t top up straight away to ensure that you don’t go without heat or lights.

Beware that when you do top-up, this amount will be deducted.

You may also be able to get a fuel voucher through a little-known scheme.

This is a code given to you in a letter, text message or email which you can use to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. 

Exactly how much it is can vary, but in many cases, it’s £49, and you won’t have to pay it back.

If you get a fuel voucher, don’t forget that when you top up, the credit will go towards paying off any debt, for example, emergency credit.

If you haven’t topped up for a period of time, you may also owe standing charges, a daily flat fee for energy use that is separate from your usage.

Contact your local council, food bank or Citizens Advice to find out more.

Free electrics and gadgets – £10s

Octopus Energy is handing out freebies such as electric blankets as part of its Octo Assist fund.

Analysis by the firm shows that customers with electric blankets saw a 20% fall in their gas bill, while only increasing their electricity usage by 0.2% – adding up to an average saving of £150 across winter.

The firm is also handing out free thermal cameras to qualifying customers which can be used to identify where heat is escaping in their home.

Free insulation or boilers – £1,000s

Low-income households may qualify for huge discounts on installing boilers or insulating their homes.

For example, the Energy Company Obligation, set up by the Government, lets households on certain benefits apply to have energy-saving measures installed in their homes.

It might mean cavity wall or loft insulation, or maybe even a new boiler fitted, sometimes for free.

To qualify you usually need to be on one of the following benefits

• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit Saving Credit

Households’ needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get help, but it is worth looking into.