Energy company discounts,Pension Credit, Household Support Fund and more help if you're struggling with gas and electricity bills


Updated on 24 January 2025 | 0 Comments

Are you or someone you know struggling with sky-high energy bills? Suppliers are offering help to eligible households worth up to £2,000.

Millions of Brits are facing a brutal 2025.

The average bill for UK households between January and March will be approximately £1,738.

Prices are set to jump again in April, with analysts Cornwall Insight predicting a 3% hike is on the cards.

Against this backdrop, the Government has made the controversial decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment – worth up to £300 – for the majority of pensioners.

Where to get support

With such a challenging year ahead, it's vital you take steps to keep on top of your bills. 

For example, you could check whether there are any fixed-rate energy tariffs that would allow you to lock into a rate that's cheaper than the increased Energy Price Cap – the maximum amount you pay per unit of energy.

You should also take all the practical steps you can to reduce your energy usage, keeping costs down during the high-usage colder months.

But the reality is that many households will find it difficult, if not impossible, to keep on top of bills. 

The good news is there are still a number of schemes out there that could help.  

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Support from energy suppliers

British Gas: up to £2,000 and Amazon vouchers

British Gas provides two energy support funds, possibly allowing tens of thousands of customers and non-customers to claim up to £2,000 via the Families Fund and Energy Support Fund.                                                                              

Since beginning in 2023/24, the scheme has helped more than 64,000 households.

It is available in Scotland, England and Wales.

Support includes white goods, energy and financial advice, as well as debt grants.

The company also provides customers with unlimited Amazon gift cards worth £50 each as part of a refer-a-friend scheme.

The value of your gift depends on the product(s) your friend buys.

You need to be an existing British Gas customer with a home energy account to participate.

Learn more about grants available from British Gas.

Octopus Energy: up to £200 for pensioners

Octopus Energy has announced an initiative to help pensioners following the loss of Winter Fuel Payments.

The company offers payments of £50, £100 or £200 to customers who have lost out via its Octopus Assist Fund.

To qualify, you’ll need to provide information about your income, health and vulnerabilities.

You can learn more about the scheme on the company’s website.

Scottish Power: £30 for prepayment customers

If you’re a prepayment user, you’ll have an emergency credit option in case you can’t afford to pay.

This stands at £10 during Summer and £30 in Winter.

As the credit is already built into your meter, you won’t need to apply to take advantage of the scheme.

You can read more here.

OVO: £15 for Pay As You Go customers

The supplier last year raised its emergency credit from £5 to £15.

The increase relates to Pay As You Go meters when they run out of credit or can’t top up.

You’ll repay the debt the next time you add money.

Overall, the package is worth £50 million. 

You can learn more here.

Utilita: £100 for struggling households

The company offers £60 in gas and £40 in electricity credit.

To qualify, you’ll need to have below £2 in credit on your account, a working smart meter and be below £20 in debt.

You won’t be eligible if you have an available credit on your meter or have more than £50 in debt.

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EDF: £10 for pre-prepayment customers

If you’re a pre-payment customer, you’ll get £10 of emergency credit.

The credit should then be available if your meter credit drops to below £0.

To start using the credit, you can take your card out and then put it back in.

Government support

Pension Credit

Pension Credit can also be a key lifeline, providing extra money to help with living costs for those over the State Pension age and who are on a low income.

As well as a weekly income of £218.15 if you’re single (£332.95 for couples), it gives you access to other benefits, such as help with housing costs and heating bills.

While most retirees have lost out on the Winter Fuel Payment, anyone claiming this Credit should still be eligible.

You can learn more about Pension Credit, including how it works, who is eligible and how to apply in this guide

Warm Home Discount Scheme 

The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a one-off £150 discount on the electricity bills of eligible customers.

You qualify if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.

It’s only available to customers in England, Wales and Scotland. Not those in Northern Ireland, which has the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

To apply, you’ll need the name of your energy supplier and details of any benefits you receive.

Household Support Fund

You may receive help with essential costs from your local council.

The Household Support Fund is aimed at anyone who can’t pay for the essentials and doesn’t depend on whether you are on benefits.

This scheme provides funding to local authorities to help those most in need by covering the cost of energy, food and water.

A £421 million extension to the fund was recently announced. This will take the financial support available up until April 2025. 

You’ll need to contact your local authority to determine eligibility.

Cold Weather Payment

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

If you’re eligible, you’ll receive them automatically. There’s no need to apply.

Separately, you can also apply for help with making energy-saving improvements to your home if you live in social housing or receive certain benefits.

These include the Great British Insulation Scheme for those whose homes have specific energy performance certificates and Council Tax bands.

Have your say

Do you plan to apply for any of these schemes or perhaps you think support is painfully lacking, especially for retirees?

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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