Citizens Advice Charnwood Explains What Help Is Available If You Are Struggling with the Costs of Energy
I’ve heard that the cost of energy is going up again from October. I’m already struggling with my bills and worried this extra cost will mean I get into debt. Is there anything I can do?
Yes, changes to the Energy Cap from October will result in an increase in what you pay for electricity and gas. For a typical household energy bills will increase by £2.93 a month or £35.14 per year. However, there is help available for low-income households.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
This is for people on means-tested benefits. It provides £150 towards your electricity bill, but person or partner must have been named on the bill as of Sunday 24 August 2025. You can check whether you are eligible for the Warm Home discount on the following link:-
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/#h-check-if-you-can-get-a-warm-home-discount
Cold Weather Payments – for people on means-tested benefits. Between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, you’ll get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 each time the average temperature in your area drops below zero degrees Celsius for 7 days in a row. You can check if you are entitled to this payment on the following link:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/#h-check-if-you-can-get-a-cold-weather-payment
Winter Fuel Payment – If you’ve reached State Pension age (you were born before 22 September 1959), you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. This is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter. There is more information about this on the Government website –
https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Emergency help with energy bills
There is emergency assistance for people in hardship, subject to eligibility. If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, you might be able to get a fuel voucher. You can check by following this link –
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/#h-check-if-you-can-get-a-fuel-voucher
Heat Fund Vouchers
Also, if you aren’t connected to mains gas or the electricity grid, The Heat Fund provides emergency fuel deliveries, subject to eligibility. You can find more information on the following link –
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/#h-if-you-don-t-use-gas-or-electricity-to-heat-your-home
Always check that you aren’t being scammed
Some scammers are pretending to be from energy companies or government departments like the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
For example, you might get a text asking you to apply for a ‘heating allowance’ or Winter Fuel Payment.
Scammers do this to get your personal information.
If you think something might be a scam you can check using the following link –
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/
Other help may become available during the autumn/winter. Please contact us for more information. We offer energy advice appointments and, for organisations, we can provide energy outreach sessions at your location.
For energy advice appointment enquiries only you can also send an email to:-energyadvice@charnwoodcab.co.uk