'Life-saving' cold weather payments and 7 more ways to get £1,500 worth of free cash
MILLIONS of households across the country can claim a range of cold weather payments to help with heating costs this winter.
It comes after an explosion in the Arctic brought more snow showers and cold weather to many parts of the country.
When the temperature drops, it's only natural to want to turn up the thermostat.
But since the energy bill for an average home is $1,928 per year, you'll want to do everything you can to reduce costs.
Fortunately, there is currently a whole host of help available for the troubled Brits
From cold weather payments that recipients are calling 'life-saving' to energy bill subsidies worth up to £1,500 that can help pay off customers' debts – here are several ways you can get help with energy bills.
Energy subsidies – up to £1,500
A number of energy companies are offering subsidies to customers who are struggling to pay their bills.
But what you are entitled to depends on who your provider is.
British gas offers grants worth up to £1,500 to households with Scots Current can amount to €750.
Meanwhile, the ones with Octopus Energy can claim up to £500 through the company's Octo Assist Fund.
Ask your supplier what the offer is and how you can register.
Domestic Support Fund – up to £1,000
Local councils are issuing cash to help households struggling with bills and other essential costs.
How much you can get depends on where you live.
To qualify, you generally must be a recipient of municipal taxes support.
You can search for yours using the search function on gov.uk – just enter your postcode.
Municipalities also offer social assistance schemes throughout the year that can help you with the bills.
Cash rental – up to £965
A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is money from your council to help you if you are struggling to pay the rent.
Anyone claiming housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit may be eligible.
But what you are entitled to depends on where you live, as each local authority determines how much it pays out.
The Sun previously found that the average DHP was £965, based on Freedom of Information requests sent to 30 of the largest councils.
But the maximum amount you could get was worth a total of £32,000.
We've rounded up everything you need to know about who can get the money and how to make a claim.
Living expenses – worth £299
Millions of households on benefits, including Universal Credit, will receive the £299 payment directly into their bank accounts between now and February 22.
Some households may have already received their money when it was distributed on February 6.
Those who qualify for the tax-free payment do not need to do anything as it is done automatically.
But there are those who do not qualify for the help, such as those on PIP and Child Benefit.
We previously explained which benefits are not eligible for the £299 one-off living expenses payment.
You can only receive the free money if you receive at least one of the following benefits:
- Universal credit
- Income-related jobseeker's allowance
- Income-related employment and support benefit
- Income support
- Working tax benefit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
You must have been entitled to a payment of one of the qualifying benefits above between November 13 and December 12 to be eligible for the free money.
If you are found later between the same dates, you will also be eligible for the benefit.
Households with tax credits will only receive their payment from HMRC after those with DWP-administered benefits have been paid.
This ensures that those on other benefits and tax credits do not receive the payment twice.
This payment will take place between February 16 and 22.
The payment reference for bank accounts is the recipient's National Insurance Number, followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.
For example, if your NI number is JT 83 42 97B, your payment will appear on your bank statement as “JT 83 42 97B DWP COLP” or “JT 83 42 97B HMRC COLP”.
Warm House Discount – worth £150
Households can receive a €150 discount on their electricity bill winter 2023 to 2024 via the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The money is not paid to you, but is a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between October and March every year.
In most cases, you will receive the discount automatically if you qualify.
You only need to apply if you are on a low income in Scotland and need to contact your supplier directly.
You are eligible for the automatic discount if you receive one of the following benefits:
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme started in December, but businesses have until March to make all remaining payments.
It is up to individual energy companies to decide when to give their customers the discount.
Fuel vouchers – worth £50
If you use a prepayment meter you may be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
It comes through the Fuel Bank Foundation charityand is offered through a range of organizations such as food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to look for somewhere to get a fuel voucher is to ask your local council.
The voucher can cover approximately two weeks of electricity consumption.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so please check with your supplier directly.
Cold weather payment – £25 per week
Cold weather payments are distributed when the average temperature is measured or predicted to be zero degrees or lower for seven consecutive days.
When temperatures drop between November 1 and March 31, eligible Britons are entitled to extra money to heat their homes.
You will receive €25 for each period of seven days in which the average weather is below zero degrees Celsius during this period.
You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by entering your zip code into the government tool on its website.
To qualify, you must have certain benefits, namely:
- Pension credit
- Income support
- Income-related jobseeker's allowance
- Income-related employment and support benefit
- Universal credit
- Support for mortgage interest
Cold weather payments are made between November 1 and March 31 each year.
Those in Scotland will not receive cold weather benefits, but may be able to receive winter heating benefits instead.
Fuel vouchers – worth £50
If you use a prepayment meter you may be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes through the Fuel Bank Foundation charity and is offered through a range of organisations, such as food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to find a place where you can get a fuel voucher is to ask your local council. You can find yours via gov.uk by searching your postcode.
The voucher can cover approximately two weeks of electricity consumption.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so please check with your supplier directly.