Help with heating costs
If you are struggling to pay your heating bills, there are schemes that could help.
You can find more information about help with energy costs by visiting Ofgem.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
If you’re on a low income and have high heating costs, or you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you should qualify for a one-off discount on your electricity bill. The discount should be applied to your energy bill automatically.
Check Gov.uk for more information and to find out which energy suppliers are part of the scheme. You can call the scheme’s helpline on 0800 030 9322 between 8am and 6pm on Monday to Friday.
If you live in a mobile home, you can still receive a Warm Homes discount. For information about how to apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount, click here.
Cold Weather Payments
You may qualify for Cold Weather Payments if you are on certain benefits, including:
- pension credit
- income support
- income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- universal credit.
The payments are made when temperatures drop below freezing for more than a week between the beginning of November and the end of March.
You receive £25 for every 7 days where the temperature averages below zero degrees Celsius.
Payments are made automatically so you don’t need to apply.
Find out if a cold weather payment is due for your area – check Gov.uk.
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is a grant of either £200 or £300 to help older people with winter energy bills. To qualify for the payment for Winter 2025 to 2026 you must have been born before 23 September 1958 and receive the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
How much you get depends on your age, if you receive certain benefits and if you live alone or with others.
Check if you qualify – visit Gov.uk.
Further help
Contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 or e-mail [email protected] for more help and advice on paying your energy bills.
If you have problems with fuel bills or debt you can get help from specialist Shelter Cymru debt advisers or check out our cash in a crisis advice page.
You can also contact the Energy Saving Trust for advice on how to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
You can also find further information about grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills on Citizens Advice consumer page.
If you require further support you may be eligible for the Priority Services Register
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This page was last updated: November 3, 2026
The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.
