Help for Winter 2022-23
Energy Bills Support Scheme
The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. The payment is automatic, you do not need to apply. Everyone with a domestic electricity account should recieve the monthly payment (£66/67) from October 2022 to March 2023. The Government are yet to announce how those living in park homes, in shared tenancies and off-grid will receive an equivalent payment.
Payments will be made by your supplier each month from October 2022 to March 2023 dependant on how you pay for your energy.
Pre-payment customers should receive a text, email or letter with voucher details each month. Suppliers will use the contact details they have on file so it's important to make sure these are up to date and correct.
Smart Pay As You Go customers should receive the credut directly on their Smart Pay As You Go meters.
Billed accounts should receive a credit to their account or may receive a refund each month if paying by direct debit. Each supplier has been adminsitering these payments differently so make sure to check your bill and bank account.
For more infomration about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, click here.
Energy Price Guarantee
The Energy Price Guarantee protects customers from increases in energy costs by limiting the amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy used. It currently brings a typical household energy bill in Great Britain for dual-fuel gas and electricity down to around £2,500 per year. Energy bills will still be higher or lower depending on how much energy is used. You do not need to apply, and there is no need to contact your energy supplier, the discount is automatic.
Ofgem Price Cap
For 1 January to 31 March 2023, the Ofgem Energy Price Cap level will increase to £4,279. This is not what a typical household will pay for their energy. The Energy Price Guarantee will continue to protect households and customers by keeping a bill for a typical household in Great Britain to around £2,500 (annual equivalent).
For more information about the Energy Price Guarantee and the Ofgem Price Cap, please click here.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. The amount you’ll get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023. This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.
For more information about the Winter Fuel Payment, please click here.
Winter Heating Payment
A new benefit, Winter Heating Payment, will replace Cold Weather Payment in Scotland from this year. DWP will no longer make any Cold Weather Payments to clients in Scotland. If you’re currently eligible for Cold Weather Payment from DWP and your circumstances have not changed, you’ll be eligible for a Winter Heating Payment. You do not need to do anything. Winter Heating Payment will provide a reliable, annual £50 payment, automatically through Social Security Scotland, to anyone who qualifies. Payments for winter 2022 will start to be made from February 2023.
For more information about the Winter Heating Payment, please click here.
Warm Home Discount
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
You qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
For more information about the Warm Home Discount, please check your suppliers website or click here.
Cost of Living Support from Local Councils
The Scottish Government have a one-stop-shop website for all Cost of Living Information, read more here.
If you live in Argyll and Bute, the Council have further Cost of Living Support available, read more here.
If you live in Highland, the Council have further Cost Of Living Support available, read more here.
If you are struggling with energy costs this winter, we are here to help.
Our Affordable Warmth service is available to householders across Argyll & Bute, Lochaber, and to Highland Council tenants (by referral from Highland Council Housing) please contact us using our online contact form, email us on enquiries@alienergy.org.uk or call us on 01631 565183 if you have an enquiry.