Households worried about the cost of keeping their homes warm over winter may be able to get financial help through a range of government and local support schemes.

The support available depends on your age, income, benefits and where you live. Here’s what you need to know about the main schemes for winter 2026/27.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help older people with their heating costs.

For winter 2026/27, you could be eligible if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and normally live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Most eligible people will receive the payment automatically, with letters expected to be sent out in October or November. Most payments will be made in November or December.

The amount you receive will depend on your age and circumstances. Payments range from £100 to £300, with higher amounts available to older pensioners and some people who live alone.

If you think you are eligible but do not receive a payment, you can make a claim for it. Claims for winter 2026/27 open from 21 September 2026, with a deadline of 31 March 2027.

However, if you do receive the payment and your personal income is more than £35,000 a year for the current tax year, the government will recover the full value of your Winter Fuel Payment, usually through your tax code or self assessment.

If you have questions about your payment, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland

Winter Fuel Payment does not apply in Scotland. Instead, eligible older people receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from the Scottish Government.

For winter 2026/27, you must have been born on or before 27 June 1960 and have lived in Scotland on the last day of the qualifying week, which is 21 to 27 September 2026.

The payment ranges from £105.55 to £316.70, depending on your circumstances, including your age and whether you live with another eligible person. Most people receive it automatically. Payments are expected to start from November 2026.

A small number of people will need to apply, including some couples receiving benefits jointly. The deadline for applications for winter 2026/27 is 31 March 2027. You can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

The same £35,000 personal income threshold also applies, with the government recovering the payment if your income is above this level.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are designed to help people receiving certain benefits when temperatures become particularly low.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, eligible households can receive £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. The scheme runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

You may qualify if you receive benefits including Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Support for Mortgage Interest, although additional conditions can apply depending on the benefit you receive.

Payments are normally made automatically into the same account as your benefit payments. Scotland has its own Winter Heating Payment instead, which is worth £62 and paid to people on certain benefits.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a £150 discount on an electricity bill. It is not paid directly to you – your energy supplier applies the discount to your bill.

For winter 2026/27, the scheme is due to reopen in October 2026.

In England and Wales, you may qualify if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or if you are on a low income and meet the scheme’s other criteria. In Scotland, eligibility for low-income households depends on your energy supplier’s criteria.

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, it is also worth contacting your supplier as soon as possible. Suppliers have support available for customers who are struggling. Read our blog about how to get support to pay your energy bills.

Other Help if You’re Struggling

If you are on a low income, use our benefits calculator to check whether you are missing any benefits you may be entitled to. Getting a qualifying benefit can also open the door to other forms of support.

Check if there are any charitable grants you are eligible for using our grants search tool.

Take a look at our list of Local Advice Centres to find organisations funded by the Trust to support with things like benefits checks and income maximisation, budgeting and energy efficiency exercises, applications to support schemes and energy queries.