Help with energy and water bills

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount is a £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. For winter 2025 to 2026, you qualify automatically in England and Wales if you, or your partner, get a means-tested benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, and your name is on the electricity account. You will get a letter if you qualify.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is free and run by your energy supplier and water company. If you are disabled, have a long-term condition, rely on medical equipment, or have a child under 5, you can get:

• advance warning of power cuts, and priority help if you rely on equipment
• bills in large print, braille or audio
• a password scheme so you know callers are genuine

Ask your energy supplier, your electricity network operator and your water company to add you.

Water bills

• WaterSure (England) and WaterSure Wales cap your bill if you have a water meter, get a means-tested benefit, and either have a medical condition that means you use a lot of water (such as a skin or kidney condition, or incontinence) or have 3 or more children.
• Most water companies have social tariffs that reduce bills for people on low incomes.

Cold weather and winter help

• Cold Weather Payments: £25 for each 7 day spell of very cold weather in your area, if you get certain benefits such as Pension Credit, or Universal Credit with a disability or a disabled child. These are paid automatically.
• Winter Fuel Payment: a yearly payment for people over State Pension age, depending on income.
• Energy grants: some suppliers and charities offer grants to clear energy debt or replace broken boilers.

Medical equipment costs

If you use equipment at home, such as a dialysis machine or oxygen concentrator, you may be able to get the electricity costs refunded by the NHS. Ask your hospital team.