Help With Energy Bills In Scotland

16th October 2023

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 improvements
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

Pick up all the links at https://www.mygov.scot/help-energy-bills