Full list of energy schemes offering free cash worth up to £1,500 this winter – are you eligible?
WINTER is on the way and that means the prospect of forking out more on your energy bills - but there's help available.
The energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed the new price cap, which comes into effect on January 1.
And it means that typical bills are set to rise by £94 for 29 million households in the new year.
However, there are plenty of energy grants and schemes already open if you're struggling.
For example, the British Gas Energy Trust pays hard-up households up to £1,500 - and it doesn't matter if they're not a British Gas customer.
Read more in money
Ask your supplier what's on offer and how to apply, or read on to find out what you can get from your own supplier.
We've previously listed the detailed eligibility criteria for each energy firm's scheme but here's what's available.
British Gas
The British Gas Energy Trust reopened to applications for its Individuals and Family Fund in May.
And the good news is you do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply.
Most read in Money
Successful applicants could get a grant worth up to £1,500 to help with their energy bills but the exact amount can vary depending on circumstances.
To be considered for the help you must meet the following criteria:
- Live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You will have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household.
- The energy account must relate to your main residence
- Have electric and/or gas debt
- Not have savings above £1,000
- Have received help from a money advice agency
When applying you will need to provide evidence that you've received debt advice in the last three months.
You can use moneyhelper.org.uk to find a free debt advisor near you.
You'll also need proof of your current household income.
British Gas customers will also need a recent meter reading - unless they're on a smart meter.
You can apply for the fund on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
If you're a British Gas customer and you're struggling to pay your bill, you can contact their customer service team on 0333 202 9804.
While there isn't a grant that just customers can access, you can set up a payment plan to help you manage your bill.
If you already owe British Gas money, they will discuss options with you on how you can pay it back in manageable instalments.
Scottish Power
If you are on a lower income and struggling to pay your bills you could be eligible for the ScottishPower Hardship Fund.
But unlike British Gas, this scheme is only open to Scottish Power customers.
This can help you get back in control of your finances by clearing or reducing arrears by crediting your ScottishPower energy account.
You could be eligible if you meet the terms and conditions and are receiving benefits including, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance.
The terms and conditions can change, so make sure to check with Scottish Power first so you don't get caught out.
Other special circumstances could also make you eligible such as reduced income due to illness.
If you decide to make an application, you can do so on the Scottish Power website, or call 0121 285 2595.
E.ON Next
The E.ON Next Energy Fund is available for those who are experiencing financial hardship.
There are two options available, one offers help with paying gas and electricity bills through grants.
The second option replaces household appliances that have broken down such as cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines.
You need to show that you have made regular payments towards your energy bill over a three-month period.
You can and will need to provide certain information like your proof of income and a recent meter reading.
Ovo Energy
Ovo customers who are struggling as a result of rising energy prices can access a £40million customer support package.
Direct debit customers have access to an online payment support tool, which can be accessed on the Ovo website.
It can help customers to assess the right plan for them.
Ovo said the most vulnerable customers may be able to have their direct debits reduced by up to 15%.
Customers who pay on receipt of bills can create a bespoke payment plan, lasting for 36 months.
Ovo has increased its emergency credit from £5 to £15 for prepayment customers.
It is also making sure that if customers are switched to a prepayment plan, they will receive regular check-ins to make sure they can get through the winter.
Prepayment customers will also be offered a payment holiday from debt repayment.
You can apply for the support online or via the app.
Customers will need to fill out a form answering questions about their income and medical needs.
You will need to provide details like your name, account number, address, and date of birth.
You'll also need to state your annual household income, your monthly disposable income, medical needs, how many people you live with and if you receive any benefits.
The support is also available to customers of Boost or SSE.
Shell Energy
Shell has a £20million fund that has helped thousands of its customers with financial support.
If you are struggling they advise you to contact them to discuss your situation so that they can work out the best way to help.
If you're behind with your energy bills, they may also help by clearing your debt or offering a free boiler repair.
This support could be changing how you pay for your bill, arranging payments from benefits or referring to specialist agencies for more support.
You can contact Shell Energy's customer services on 0330 094 5800 or [email protected] to get more information and apply.
Octopus Energy
Octopus has previously offered a range of support including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
What you can get depends on your circumstances and needs.
Direct bill support could include vouchers up to £500 or a payment holiday.
It could also include a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home that you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.
What other help is available?
Winter fuel payment
Thousands of pensioners eligible for the winter fuel payment will receive an up to £300 top-up from the Government this year.
The winter fuel payment is made to households with someone born before a certain date.
This year, it is being made to every household with someone born before September 25, 1957.
But on top of the regular payment, the Government is topping it up with a £150 or £300 pensioner cost of living payment, meaning you could receive up to £600 in total.
In most cases, you won't have to apply and the payment will be made automatically from November.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund is worth £842million and has been shared between councils in England.
They are then deciding how to distribute their share of the fund, which means what you can get varies depending on where you live.
In most cases, support is offered to those on low incomes or benefits.
Either way, you will need to apply through your local council, which you can find by using the Government's council locator tool.
Some households have received vouchers to help pay for energy bills, while other local authorities have transferred money directly into residents' bank accounts.
The latest batch of funding has to be allocated by councils by March 31, 2024.
Cold weather payment
Cold weather payments are made to hard-up households to help cover the cost of higher energy bills during cold snaps.
Eligible households receive £25 for every seven-day period where temperatures are below zero degrees.
The money is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31 but you don't have to apply and will receive the payments automatically if you are eligible.
To qualify for a winter fuel payment you must be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- income-related employment and support allowance
- Support for mortgage interest
But you may have to meet other criteria too, including:
- Having a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
- Having a child who is disabled
- Receiving child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Having a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Being in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
- Having a child under five living with you
You can read more about eligibility on the Government's website.
Winter heating payment
The winter heating payment has replaced the cold weather payment for households in Scotland.
The eligibility for the £55.05 payment is the same as the cold weather payment and you have to be receiving one of the qualifying benefits between November 6 and 12.
The only difference is that the cash is paid to you regardless of whether temperatures drop below zero degrees.
Payments will likely be made in February and March 2024.
Warm home discount
Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland can get £150 deducted from their energy bills through the warm home discount.
This winter the money will be taken off your bill between October 16 and March 2024.
You'll need to be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits to qualify:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker's allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
Eligible households in England and Wales don't have to apply for the discount, although some in Scotland do.
Scottish residents should check with their energy supplier directly to see if they qualify for the discount.
Meanwhile, to cover the cost of energy bills, including British Gas, EDF and E.ON.
You should get in touch with your provider to see what help they might be able to offer.
Demand Flexibility Service
The National Grid's "Demand Flexibility Service" (DFS) is back again this winter.
The scheme launched again on October 30 and will run over the colder months.
Under the service, households who use less electricity than they normally do during certain hours are paid for the savings.
You have to have a smart meter to take part.
So far 1.4million businesses and households and 37 energy suppliers have signed up to take part in the scheme.
Those who have signed up will be contacted by their firm telling them when in the hour and a half window they can take part.
Last year around 1.6million households and businesses were paid a total of just under £11million for taking part.
The ESO (Electricity System Operator), a subsidiary of the Grid, said it will be looking to run 12 test events where households can make the savings.
You must have signed up through your supplier, otherwise, you won't be able to take part.
Last year, the DFS was originally trialled with Octopus Energy, and other suppliers then joined, these included British Gas, EDF, E.On, Ovo Energy, and Shell Energy.
Each energy provider will have its own eligibility criteria to take part in the scheme though.
The amount you get will depend on what your supplier offers, and not every firm will participate.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But the National Grid has confirmed it will pay at least £3 for every kilowatt-hour they save during six of the 12 tests.
We've already explained which suppliers are taking part and how the scheme works in detail.