Help with energy bills

Check what help you could get with your energy bill.

Alternative Fuel Payment – if you do not use mains gas

You might be eligible for a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if you use alternative fuels for heating instead of mains gas.

Alternative fuels include:

• heating oil
• Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• coal
• biomass

Most eligible households will get the payment automatically as a credit on their electricity bills from 6 February 2023.

You may not get the payment automatically if you do not have a contract with an energy supplier, for example if you live in a park home or houseboat.

If you do not get the payment automatically

If you do not get the payment automatically, you may have to apply for this payment through the UK Government's AFP Alternative Fund. 

Applications will open by the end of February 2023. 

Winter Fuel Payment

You could get between £100 and £300 to help pay your energy bills. This is tax free. 

To get the payment, you need to be born on or before 25 September 1956.

Check if you can get the Winter Fuel Payment.

Warm Home Discount

You can get £150 off your electricity bill if you qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme.

To get it you need to either:

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• be on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria 

Check if you can get the Warm Home Discount.

Winter Heating Payment

Winter Heating Payment is replacing the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland.

If you qualify you could get £50 once a year to help with your energy bills in winter. This starts in February 2023.

You’ll get this payment automatically if you qualify.

You could qualify if you get certain benefits, like:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Find our more about Winter Heating Payment

Child Winter Heating Assistance 

Child Winter Heating Assistance is a payment to help disabled children, young people and their families with heating costs in winter.

Social Security Scotland make payments once a year from the end of November.

Check if you qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance.

Home Heating Support Fund

The Home Heating Support Fund can help you pay your energy bills by:

• sending a payment to your supplier
• giving you an energy voucher that you can use to pay your bills

You can get this help even if you use:

• a pre-payment meter
• a credit meter
• a district heating network
• unregulated fuels

Find out how you can apply for the Home Heating Support Fund.

You can also apply by phoning Advice Direct Scotland free on 0808 800 9060.

Energy Bills Discount (£400)

The Energy Bills Discount is a £400 discount to help with heating and energy costs. It is paid over 6 months, starting in October 2022.

Find out more about the Energy Bills Discount

Check you’re paying the right amount for your energy bills

If you think you’re paying too much for energy, contact the Money Talk Team. They can make sure you're not paying too much for gas or electricity.

The Money Talk Team service offers free money and debt advice.

The service can help you understand what you’re entitled to and ways to save money.

It can help you find out:

• what benefits and other financial support you may be entitled to
• how you can manage debt
• ways to save money on your outgoings

You can get more information on the Money Talk Team website or by calling 0800 028 1456. You can also visit your local Citizens Advice Scotland for in person support.

Help to make your home warmer 

Get practical advice to help make your home warmer.

Funding for energy saving home improvments 

Check if you get a grant or loan for energy saving improvements

More help with energy costs

You could also get more help from these organisations:

• Advice Direct Scotland offers advice on management your energy account and getting help with your finances
• Age Scotland has guidance on energy and how to reduce your bills
• Citizens Advice Scotland can help you agree a payment plan with your supplier or help you pay off your debts through your benefits
• Energy Saving Trust Scotland helps you save energy and reduce your bills
• Fuel Bank Foundation can help you with money for your pre-payment meter
• Greener Scotland gives advice on how to save energy, reduce waste, travel smarter and eat greener