Use the support finder
Answer quick questions about your household. The support finder shows which schemes you may be eligible for.
Try the support finder →UK ENERGY BILL SUPPORT 2026
Struggling with energy bills? Here is every scheme available to help you.
Millions of UK households are entitled to grants, discounts, and support schemes to help with energy bills, but many never claim them. This guide covers every scheme available in 2026, in plain English, with no jargon.
“Around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit, a gateway benefit that unlocks multiple other forms of energy bill support. If you think you might qualify, check as soon as possible.”
Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com
- ✓ Plain English, no jargon
- ✓ Covers every scheme in 2026
- ✓ Free information. No selling, no commission.
Types of support available
Six ways to get help with energy bills
- Warm Home Discount £150 off your electricity bill
- Winter Fuel Payment up to £300 for pensioners
- Cold Weather Payment £25 per cold spell
- ECO4 free home insulation and heating upgrades
- Supplier hardship funds emergency grants
- Household Support Fund local council help
July 2026 price cap rise. Act now.
From 1 July 2026 the Ofgem energy price cap rises by 13.5% to £1,862 per year for a typical household. This makes it more important than ever to claim any support you are entitled to and to compare whether a cheaper fixed tariff is available at your postcode.
Find what support you qualify for →
Compare tariffs at Utility Matchmaker →
Both are free. No obligation.
All support schemes
Every energy bill support scheme available in 2026
These are the main UK government and supplier schemes available in 2026. Click any card to read the full guide, including eligibility, how to apply, and what you will receive.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMERead the full guide →GOVERNMENT SCHEMERead the full guide →GOVERNMENT SCHEMERead the full guide →HOME IMPROVEMENTRead the full guide →VULNERABLE CUSTOMERSRead the full guide →SUPPLIER HELPRead the full guide →LOCAL COUNCILRead the full guide →BILLING HELPRead the full guide →DEBT SUPPORTRead the full guide →REDUCE YOUR BILLSRead the full guide →GATEWAY BENEFITRead the full guide →CHECK YOUR ENTITLEMENTRead the full guide →
Warm Home Discount
A £150 discount applied to your electricity bill each winter if you qualify.
£150
Winter Fuel Payment
An annual tax-free payment of up to £300 to help pensioners pay for heating.
Up to £300
Cold Weather Payment
A £25 payment for each 7-day period of very cold weather if you receive certain benefits.
£25 per cold spell
ECO4 Scheme
Free insulation, heating upgrades and improvements for eligible low-income households.
Up to £10,000
Ends December 2026Priority Services Register
Extra protections and services from your energy supplier if you are vulnerable or have additional needs.
Free to join
Supplier Hardship Funds
Emergency grants from your energy supplier if you are struggling to pay your bill. Most major suppliers offer these.
Emergency grants available
Household Support Fund
Local council funding to help vulnerable households with food, utilities, and essential costs. Does not require benefits.
Varies by council
Cannot Pay Your Bill
Your rights if you cannot afford your energy bill. Suppliers must work with you on a payment plan.
Know your rights
Energy Debt Guide
What to do if you have fallen into energy debt. Your rights, protections, and the steps to take to resolve it.
Debt does not disappear
Switching to Save
How switching energy supplier could reduce your bills alongside support schemes. Fixed tariffs are currently below the July 2026 cap.
Save up to £260/year
Pension Credit
The gateway benefit that unlocks Winter Fuel Payments and more. Around 800,000 eligible pensioners are not claiming it.
£3,900/year average gain
Support Finder
Answer a few quick questions to find out which schemes you or your household may be eligible for.
Takes 2 minutes
What the experts say
Why claiming your entitlement matters
Around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit. It is worth thousands of pounds a year and unlocks other payments including the Winter Fuel Payment.
Energy suppliers have a legal duty to help customers who are struggling to pay their bills. They must agree a repayment plan you can afford.
The Warm Home Discount scheme has been expanded significantly. Over 6 million households are now eligible for the £150 rebate.
Quotes are paraphrased from publicly available statements. energybillsupport.co.uk is not affiliated with the organisations cited.
Also worth checking
Support schemes are not the only way to reduce your energy bills
Government grants and support schemes help with the cost of energy, but they work best alongside a competitive energy tariff. If you are on a standard variable tariff, you may be paying more than you need to even after any discounts are applied.
Martin Lewis consistently recommends checking whether a cheaper fixed tariff is available at your postcode at the same time as checking your entitlement to support schemes.
Read our guide: Switching to Save →Compare live tariffs
Utility Matchmaker
Comparison powered by TheEnergyShop, Ofgem Confidence Code accredited since 2003.
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Illustrative savings vs July 2026 cap: £213 to £260 per year
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How this site works
How to find the right support for your situation
Read the relevant guides
Each guide explains a scheme in plain English with eligibility, amounts, and how to apply.
Take action and compare tariffs
Apply for support you qualify for, then compare tariffs at Utility Matchmaker if you are on a standard variable rate.