Energy price cap update
Ofgem says the energy price cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit is £1,862 a year from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
This is not a maximum total bill. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can apply to standard variable tariffs, so the amount you actually pay still depends on how much energy you use.
Ofgem is due to announce the cap covering October to December 2026 by 26 August 2026. Check the latest Ofgem price-cap figures before winter.
First, check whether you are overpaying
Grants can provide vital emergency assistance, but it is also worth checking whether your household contracts are costing more than they need to.
Let Nous check your household bills
Nous is a household-bills assistant that helps you keep track of contracts such as energy, broadband and mobile, looks for alternative deals and can help with switching.
Check your household bills with Nous
Nous is not a government grant or debt-advice charity. Savings are not guaranteed and depend on your existing providers, tariffs, usage and contract terms.
Before switching an energy tariff, compare the full annual cost, tariff length, customer-service arrangements and any exit fees. You can also read MoneyMagpie’s guide to saving money on everyday essentials.
Crisis and Resilience Fund in England
The Household Support Fund ended in England on 31 March 2026. It has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is administered by local councils.
The new fund is intended to help people who cannot afford essentials or who are facing a sudden financial shock. Depending on your council, help could include food, energy, water, essential household items, emergency living expenses, housing costs, debt advice or longer-term support.
You do not always need to be claiming benefits
Government guidance says the fund is aimed at vulnerable people and those who cannot pay for essentials. You do not necessarily need to receive benefits, and a payment from the fund should not affect your benefits.
Each council sets its own application process and local priorities. Contact your council even if you received help under the old Household Support Fund, as you may need to make a new application.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate welfare and emergency-support arrangements. Check your council or devolved-government website for local help.
Council Tax discounts and reductions
You could be paying too much Council Tax without realising it. Help may be available if:
- You are the only adult counted for Council Tax, which usually gives a 25% discount.
- You live with people who are disregarded, such as some full-time students, carers or apprentices.
- Someone in the household has a severe mental impairment and meets the medical and benefit conditions.
- You are on a low income and qualify for your council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme.
- Your home has qualifying facilities or extra space required by a disabled resident.
Severe mental impairment rules
A qualifying person may be disregarded when the council counts the adults in a home. A person who lives alone and meets the requirements may receive a full exemption. In a shared household, the reduction depends on who else lives there and whether they are also disregarded.
A disabled band reduction may allow a household to pay the rate for the band immediately below its current band. There is also a reduction for qualifying Band A homes. Simply having spare bedrooms is not enough; the space or facilities must be required by a disabled resident.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction through GOV.UK. Ask your council whether a discount can be backdated if you qualified earlier.
MoneyMagpie also explains other forms of financial help you may be able to claim.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 reduction on an eligible household’s electricity bill. It is a credit applied to the bill rather than a cash payment.
The 2025/26 scheme has closed. GOV.UK says it will reopen in October 2026.
England and Wales
Eligible households usually include people receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and qualifying low-income households receiving certain means-tested benefits. Many payments are identified automatically through government and supplier records, although some households may be asked to confirm details.
Scotland
People receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit are normally identified automatically. Other low-income customers may need to apply directly to a participating supplier, so it is worth contacting your supplier promptly when applications open.
The scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland. Always check the current rules and participating suppliers on the official Warm Home Discount page.
If you use a prepayment meter, your supplier should explain how to redeem or apply the discount. Keep any letter or voucher safe and check its expiry date.
Winter Fuel Payment
For winter 2026/27, people born before 28 June 1960 may be eligible for between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The amount depends on your age and household circumstances during the qualifying week, which is 21 to 27 September 2026. Most eligible people should receive a letter in October or November and be paid automatically in November or December.
The £35,000 income rule
If your individual total income is above £35,000, HMRC can recover the Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system. Eligible people who expect to exceed the threshold can choose to opt out by the relevant deadline.
Claims for winter 2026/27 open on 21 September 2026 for people who need to apply. Check the official Winter Fuel Payment guidance.
What about Scotland?
People living in Scotland may qualify for the separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Check mygov.scot for current amounts, dates and eligibility.
Cold Weather Payments
Cold Weather Payments help eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during periods of exceptionally cold weather.
Under the scheme, an eligible person receives £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in their area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below. The 2026/27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.
You may qualify if you receive certain benefits, including Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Extra conditions can apply.
Payments should be automatic. See the Cold Weather Payment guidance for England and Wales or Northern Ireland guidance.
Scotland uses a separate Winter Heating Payment, which is not triggered by a particular spell of cold weather.
Emergency fuel vouchers
If you cannot afford to top up a prepayment meter, you may be able to obtain an emergency fuel voucher through your council, Citizens Advice, a food bank, a housing association, an energy-support charity or another local welfare organisation.
A code may be sent by text, email or letter and redeemed at a participating PayPoint, Payzone or Post Office outlet. You may need identification and proof of address.
Check the expiry date immediately
Some fuel vouchers must be used within a short period. If you are nearly out of credit, contact your supplier straight away and ask about emergency or additional credit. Ask how and when any credit will be repaid before accepting it.
Energy debt grants and hardship funds
Some suppliers and charitable trusts offer grants or other assistance to households that have fallen behind with gas or electricity bills. Funds and eligibility rules can change, but possible sources include:
Some funds require you to be a customer of the named supplier. You may be asked to complete an income-and-expenditure assessment, get debt advice or show that you can afford your ongoing usage once the arrears are cleared.
Ask your supplier for all available options
- An affordable repayment plan
- A temporary payment reduction or payment break
- A review of your Direct Debit
- A hardship grant or trust-fund application
- Emergency credit or a fuel voucher
- Energy-efficiency support
Never agree to repayments that leave you without enough for food, rent, Council Tax or other essentials.
Stop household contracts quietly becoming more expensive
Nous can help track bills and renewal dates, research alternatives and assist with switching eligible household services.
Review any proposed switch carefully, including the total cost, tariff length, exit fees and service terms.
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is free and provides extra support for people who may need help from their energy supplier or electricity network operator.
You may qualify because of age, disability, long-term illness, pregnancy, a child under five, communication needs, mental-health needs, temporary medical circumstances or reliance on electrically powered medical equipment.
Support may include accessible bills, meter-reading assistance, notice of planned interruptions and extra help during a power cut.
You may need to register separately with your supplier and local network operator. Learn more from Ofgem’s Priority Services Register guidance.
Help improving your home
Depending on your location, income, benefits and property, you may qualify for insulation, heating improvements or other energy-efficiency measures.
Funding can include supplier obligations, local-authority schemes and devolved-government programmes. Check the current government energy-efficiency guidance.
In Northern Ireland, check NI Direct’s energy-saving grants information.
Beware of “free boiler” and insulation scams
Do not rely on an unsolicited caller’s claim that everyone qualifies. Check the scheme, installer and funding independently before sharing personal information or signing an agreement.
Get a benefits check
A benefits calculator or adviser could identify entitlement to Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, housing support or local welfare assistance.
Free checks are available from:
MoneyMagpie’s guide to disability benefits and entitlements may also help.
Do not wait until your energy is disconnected
Contact your supplier as soon as you realise you cannot pay. Explain your finances, health needs and whether children or vulnerable people live in the property.
Get free debt advice if you are borrowing to pay energy bills or missing other essential payments:
MoneyMagpie also has guidance on where to get help with Universal Credit problems
Frequently asked questions
Is the energy price cap the maximum I can be charged?
No. It limits unit rates and standing charges on covered tariffs, not the total amount of energy a household can use. A household that uses more energy can pay more than the typical annual figure.
Does the Household Support Fund still exist in 2026?
It ended in England on 31 March 2026 and was replaced by the locally administered Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026.
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
It is a one-off £150 credit on an eligible household’s electricity bill. The scheme is due to reopen in October 2026.
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026/27?
Eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may receive between £100 and £300. The amount depends on age and household circumstances.
Can my energy supplier help if I am already in debt?
Potentially. Ask about an affordable repayment plan, Direct Debit review, hardship grants, emergency credit and any other support available for customers in payment difficulty.
