Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing this week, adding further worry to those already struggling to afford to heat their homes. A weather warning for ice and snow was issued by the Met Office on Tuesday with some places seeing temperatures drop to -5°C at night time.
Health officials are advising people to heat main rooms until at least December 12 if they cannot afford to heat their whole home, adding it is important to heat bedrooms before bedtime and the living area during the day if it is being used. The UK Health Security Agency made the alert which is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to affect people's health.
Those already struggling to pay bills may be concerned about the increase in energy usage over the next few days, so we have all the places you could seek financial help to heat your home.
Read more: Met Office gives exact details for how cold it will get where you live and when
Cold weather payment
People who claim certain benefits automatically receive a £25 cold weather payment if the temperature in their area is recorded as or forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. This cold weather payment scheme runs from November 1 to March 31.
Although it's set to be very cold, whether you will get a payment for this week depends on the specific temperatures and remember, the mercury has to drop to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days to trigger the payment. So even if it's below freezing for six days, if the temperature rises on the seventh day, the clock will reset to zero and the counting will start again.
If you are on the following benefits, you will qualify for the payment:
- Pension credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Winter fuel payment
Who can apply? If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. The amount you'll get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023. This is in addition to any other cost of living payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible If you’re eligible, you would have got a letter in October or November saying how much you will get. If you did not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim here. The payment is usually given out in November or December.
Winter fuel support scheme 2022/23
Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 cash payment from their local authority. The money is to provide support towards paying fuel bills. This is in addition to the winter fuel payment offered by the UK Government (above).
Who can apply? You can apply if you or your partner claim the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Benefits
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Read more about the scheme and how to apply here.
British Gas Energy Trust
Who can apply? Customers of British Gas as well as customers of other energy suppliers can apply. You must live in England, Wales or Scotland. You can only apply for a grant if you have already sought advice for debt.
There are different conditions for applying for a grant for whether you are a British Gas customer or not. If you are not a British Gas customer, you can only apply if you have gas/electricity debt and you must not have savings above £1,000. You can't have received a grant from British Gas in the last two years to access this fund.
A British Gas customer however can apply as long as they have not had a grant in the last 12 months, and have energy debt between £250-£1,500 on an active account. Find out more about how you can apply here.
British Gas Warm Home Discount
British Gas Warm Home Discount 2022/2023 is a seasonal scheme that provides support to households who may struggle to keep warm over winter. If you live in England or Wales, you do not need to make an application, the DWP will tell your electricity supplier directly if you qualify for £150 credit towards your energy bills.
E.ON Next energy fund
Who can apply? People who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling. To be considered for this help you will need to show that you are committed to being financially stable by making regular payments over a three-month period for ongoing usage before receiving the award.
You can either receive help with your bills or you could get a replacement appliance such as a cooker, fridge-freezer or washing machine if yours has broken. For more information and how to apply, click here.
EDF customer support fund
Who can apply? EDF customers who have sought independent advice with their debt after having registered for their Priority Services (who help make sure customers are on the right tariff and other advice).
The fund can help people with their energy debt as well as provide essential white good. For more information and how to apply, click here.
OVO Energy, Boost and SSE Energy Services Winter Support package
Who can apply: OVO's Customer Support Package is available to customers of OVO Energy, Boost and SSE Energy Services. The fund does not state what measures you need to prove in order to access support but you can start your application here.
Octopus Energy Octo Assist Fund
Octopus have set up a £15 million fund for those in need this winter. If you are an Octopus customer you can fill out a form here - which will allow Octopus to see if you qualify for financial assistance.
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- The benefits that won't be increasing next April
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- Nursery owner 'gutted' childcare costs are rising as her energy bills quadruple
