Energy Crisis Support
Energy prices are really high at the moment. The energy price cap is the maximum a supplier can charge you on a variable tariff. It went up in April, and will go up again in October 2022.
Because of how high energy prices are in the energy crisis, the government and energy suppliers have created a number of different schemes to help customers pay for energy.
There are three types of support:
We'll explain who each is for, how to get it, and when you can expect to get it.
Government support for the cost of living
This is special help the government is giving during the energy and cost of living crisis.
There are a few different support schemes involved. You might already be receiving some of it.
Others you might not have heard of, but be able to get.
To download a PDF version of this information (reduced detail) - Click here
£400 Help with energy bills payment
Who gets this?
Everyone in the UK who is a domestic energy customer.
Domestic energy customers are people who pay for the electricity and gas they are using for their homes, not for businesses.
How is it paid?
The £400 will be spread into several monthly payments across Winter.
It'll be paid by your energy supplier into your energy account balance.
When is it paid?
Payments should start in October 2022.
Different People will probably be paid at different times over winter.
£150 Council Tax rebate
Who gets this?
People who live in houses that are in council tax band A - D.
Your council tax band depends on how much your house is worth.
How is it paid?
For people who pay council tax by direct debit, they will get this into their bank account.
For people who don't pay council tax by direct debit, they will get a letter from the council telling them how to get the £150.
When is it paid?
Most people getting this money have been paid already.
What if I haven't had the £150 yet, but think I should've had it?
You should check your council tax band on a council tax bill.
If you are in council tax band A - D, you should contact your local council.
£650 Cost of Living payment for people on benefits
Who gets this?
People on benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
How is it paid?
Into your bank account.
When is it paid?
£325 in July 2022, and £325 later in 2022.
£300 Cost of Living payment for pensioners
Who gets this?
Pensioners who can get Winter Fuel Payments.
How is it paid?
When you get your Winter Fuel Payment, you'll receive an additional £300.
This money is not taxable and doesn't stop you from getting other types of benefit.
When is it paid?
November or December 2022.
Disability Cost of Living Payment £150
Who gets this?
People on some types of benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Scottish Disability Benefits
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
How is it paid?
When you get your Winter Fuel Payment, you'll receive an additional £300.
This money is not taxable and doesn't stop you from getting other types of benefit.
When is it paid?
November or December 2022.
Alternative Fuel Payment
Who gets this?
This scheme is a payment from Government to domestic customers who use alternative fuels for heating. These are customers who are not connected to mains gas and use alternative fuels for heating.
Domestic energy customers are people who pay for the electricity they are using for their homes, not for businesses.
This scheme is a once-off payment. Most eligible customers will get this payment automatically. If you haven’t received your payment by the end of February 2023 and believe you are eligible, you will need to apply through the Government Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund. Applications will open by the end of February 2023. You can apply on the Government website here.
How is it paid?
The £200 payment will be paid during the month of February 2023. You'll get the payment in different ways depending on how you pay your energy supplier.
Direct Debit customers will get a £200 credit added to their energy account.
Customers who Pay on Receipt of Bill will get a £200 credit added to their energy account.
Smart Prepayment customers will have the payment applied as a credit to their meters.
Traditional Prepayment customers will get four vouchers worth £50 each which can be redeemed as top up credit for their electricity meter.
Prepayment customers are people who pay for energy before they use it.
Ongoing Yearly Support
This is ongoing support the government gives every year to people who need help paying for their energy.
You might already be receiving some of it.
Others you might not have heard of, but be able to get.
Winter Fuel Payment £250 - £600
Who gets this?
Pensioners:
- People who get Pension Credit
- People born before 25th September 1956, who are in the UK for at least one day between the 19th - 25th September 2022
- This is called a 'qualifying week'
Some people on different benefits:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
The payment is different depending on your circumstances.
You should already be getting this if you are meant to be getting it.
How is it paid?
Into your bank account.
When is it paid?
November or December, but no later than 13th January 2023.
Cold Weather payment: £25 a day
When does this happen?
If the average temperature where you live is below freezing (zero-degrees c) or is mean to be below freezing for 7 days.
Who gets this?
Pensioners:
- People on Pension Credit
Some people on different benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
How is it paid?
Into your bank account.
When is it paid?
Between 1st November 2022 and 31st March 2023.
£150 Warm Home Discount (England and Wales)
Who gets this?
Pensioners in England and Wales who receive Pension Credit.
People from England and Wales who are on means tested benefits and live in houses with high energy costs.
A means tested benefit is one where the money, and whether you can have it, are based on how much money you make and already have.
These benefits are:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credits Savings Credit
- Child Tax Credits (if household income below £17,005)
- Working Tax Credits (if household income below £17,005)
How is it paid?
By your energy supplier into your account balance with them.
If you are a Prepayment customer you will be given a voucher.
Prepayment customers are people who pay for energy before they use it.
When is it paid?
Late October 2022 - March 2023.
Find out more on our Warm Home Discount information page.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) £150
Who gets this?
People who apply for the scheme and are accepted.
Pensioners in Scotland who receive Pension Credit.
People in Scotland who are on means tested benefits and live in houses with high energy costs.
A means tested benefit is one where the money, and whether you can have it, are based on how much money you make and already have.
These benefits are:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credits Savings Credit
- Child Tax Credits (if household income below £17,005)
- Working Tax Credits (if household income below £17,005)
How is it paid?
By your energy supplier into your account balance with them.
If you are a Prepayment customer you will be given a voucher.
Prepayment customers are people who pay for energy before they use it.
When is it paid?
Late October 2022 - March 2023.
Find out more on our Warm Home Discount information page.
Octopus support
This is help we're giving our own customers, in addition to government support.
Some of it we give to people automatically, and others you'll need to get in touch and request.
We have a number of different schemes to help people who are struggling:
- FInancial Assistance
- Home Energy Visits
- Thermal Cameras
- Blankets
You can read more these schemes on our 'how we're helping our customers' page here.
Get in touch with independent experts directly:
StepChange Debt Charity www.stepchange.org 0800 138 1111
Debt Advice Foundation www.debtadvicefoundation.org 0800 043 40 50
National Debtline www.nationaldebtline.org 0808 808 4000
Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy 0808 223 1133 (Wales: 03444 77 20 20)
PayPlan www.payplan.com 0800 280 2816
Turn2Us https://www.turn2us.org.uk
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