Overview
There are several sources of support available to help with energy costs, including government schemes, energy supplier, charity funds, and local council assistance. Eligibility criteria vary — some payments are made automatically, while others require an application.
Please note: the information provided below is correct at the time of publication (October 2025) and may be subject to change. Beat the Cold is not responsible for any subsequent updates or amendments to these schemes, please see the blue links for the latest updates.
Household Support Fund
If you live in Stoke-on-Trent, prepayment meter fuel voucher support may be issued by Beat the Cold if funds are available. To apply for support under this scheme, you must not have been in receipt of fuel vouchers from Beat the Cold or other Stoke-on-Trent Household Support Fund delivery partners on or after 1st October 2025. You may be eligible if you have a low household income, your prepayment fuel meter credit is very low, plus at least one of the following applies:
- you are referred to Beat the Cold by a healthcare professional (including UHNM, MPFT, NSCHT, Primary Care including Social Prescribers)
- you are classed as vulnerable to the impacts of a cold home under the NICE Guideline 6 definition of vulnerability; you or someone is the household is 65 and over, there are children aged 5 or under in the property, you have a cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health or mobility condition, you or someone in the household is pregnant, or there is a low household income
Please note that our Energy Advisors will perform a full triage before your eligibility is ascertained. This will include questions around your health, household income, and household composition, and could include advice around your energy usage and tariffs, your energy consumption habits, relevant energy saving advice, tips to ensure your home is well-ventilated to reduce condensation build-up, questions around damp and mould in the property, alongside relevant referrals to other programs with your consent. After the triage, our Energy Advisors will explain what support is available to you, which may or may not include fuel vouchers.
To enquire about this scheme, please visit our Contact Us page.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.
- If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.
- The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.
- Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme will reopen at the end of October 2025. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.
You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland – contact your energy supplier to apply.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
Eligibility – There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.
If you live in England and Wales
You qualify if you either:
Cold Weather Payment
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply, but you may need to tell Jobcentre Plus if you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you.
The payments do not affect your other benefits.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
You’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Find out if the weather where you live means you may get a payment.
Check a postcode in England or Wales.
Energy Supplier Schemes
Below are a range of schemes from a selection of suppliers. Please check with your own energy supplier for further schemes.
Octopus Energy – Octo Assist
£30m fund to support customers most in need. Applicants must show income and outgoings. Available only to Octopus customers.
Octo Assist: Bill grants and help schemes | Octopus Energy
British Gas Energy Trust
British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity funded by British Gas. The Trust helps families and individuals struggling with energy debt across England, Scotland and Wales.
If you’re struggling with energy debt, and don’t know where to turn – find the support that’s available.
If you’ve already had money advice, and are ready to apply, check the grants the Trust has available.
The E.ON Next Energy Fund
The E.ON Next Energy Fund has been created to help customers, including Sainsbury’s Energy, who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling. The E.ON Next Energy Fund. Supporting our customers.
EDF Customer Support Fund
EDF Customer Support Fund gives grants and support to vulnerable customers who are struggling with energy debt.
It can help with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.
But before you apply for funding, it’s important to get independent debt advice.
Find out how to get free debt advice
How to apply
Once you’ve had independent debt advice, you can apply to our Customer Support Fund. To apply, you will need:
- Your EDF account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails)
- The current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have
- Details of your household finances and vulnerability