Bills:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme – £150 electricity bill discount
• Household Support Fund – up to £500
• Cold Weather Payments – £25 a week 
• Winter Fuel Payment – £200-£300

Home improvements:

Alongside offering financial support with bills, the government is also investing £12billion into Help to Heat – a range of home improvement grants to help keep homes warmer for a cheaper price. 

It’s worth noting the funding is not delivered directly by the government, but through installers, local authorities, energy companies and other bodies. 

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The scheme provides grants to cover part of the cost up to £7,500 of replacing fossil fuel heating systems (oil, gas or electric) with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Home Upgrade Grant 

The grant provides energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to low income households. Suggested improvements may include: wall, loft and underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps and electric radiators. 

Great British Insulation Scheme

Funding is awarded to local authorities to help the upgrade energy inefficient homes to low-income households. Different local authorities will deliver the funding in different ways. Check if your council has received funding through this scheme. 

Many of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers have grants in place to help support struggling customers. Eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

• British Gas – The energy giant has a £140million support package to help customers and non-customers. It will pay half your energy bill for six months under its ‘you pay, we pay’ scheme for eligible people. It also has a scheme to help replace old white goods if you can’t afford to. 
• EDF – Customer support fund. The scheme on average wipes £1,250 off bills and is available to vulnerable customers experiencing financial hardship. EDF said it will also replace any broken or in poor working order appliance.
• Octopus Energy – Octo Assist Fund. Octopus Energy is offering financial support to customers missing out on Winter Fuel Payments. The energy firm is offering its own £50, £100 and £200 payments to thousands of customers. Freebies such as electric blankets are also available to those who meet criteria.
• OVO – Struggling households may be eligible for payment holidays and direct debit reductions. Free energy-saving gadgets including electric throws and mattress toppers are also available to those that are eligible. 

We know keeping track of what payments to expect on which day can feel overwhelming and confusing. Here’s a list of useful dates to note in your calendar so you know when to expect extra financial help if you’re eligible.

• Warm Home Discount Scheme – Customers should receive a letter confirming their eligibility by early January 2025. The discount should be applied to your bill by March 31, 2025. 
• Household Support Fund  – extended until April 2025.
• Cold weather payments – £25 will be paid for each 7 day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
• Christmas Bonus – typically paid in the first full week of December. 

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