WINTER is on the way and that means the prospect of forking out more on your energy bills – but there's help on offer.
The cost of living is still a major concern for millions of households with inflation sat at 6.7% in August.
Meanwhile, families are on average forking out hundreds of pounds more on their energy bills compared to two years ago.
Plus, mortgage rates have soared following successive Bank of England base rate hikes.
But there's a raft of support on offer if you're struggling financially, in particular on your energy bills.
From cost of living payments to energy grants, here's all the help on offer this winter and into 2024.
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Cost of living payment
The Government is in the process of distributing £900 of tax-free cash to millions of households on benefits.
The £900 lump sum has been split into three instalments, with the second, worth £300, due to be paid into bank accounts within weeks – between October 31 and November 19.
Bear in mind, if you receive tax credits only, you will be paid between November 10 and 19.
The third instalment, worth £299, will be paid in spring next year, although the Government has not yet confirmed exactly when.
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The first £301 payment was made earlier this year, meaning there's £599 left to be distributed.
The money is paid to you automatically so you don't have to worry about applying.
You will receive the payments if you receive any of the following benefits:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You will have had to have been receiving one of the above during a certain qualifying period to receive the £300 and £299 payments.
For the £300 payment, this time period is from August 18 to September 17.
For example, if you were receiving Universal Credit on August 31, you should receive the £300 cost of living payment.
Child winter heating payment
The child winter heating payment, formerly known as child winter heating assistance, will be paid to thousands of families from November.
The cash, worth £235.70, is issued to households to cover the cost of higher energy bills during the colder months.
But the benefit is only available to households in Scotland, with around 26,000 payments made in 2022/23.
You also have to be 18 or under and in receipt of one the following benefits:
- the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
- the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance for children
- the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
You need to have been claiming one of the four above benefits between September 18 and September 24, although you can backdate claims.
Anyone eligible can apply by filling in a paper form found on the Scottish Government's website.
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 weatherpayment 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 off 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.
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Meanwhile, a number of firms offer struggling customers grants 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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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