Discounts for Fuel Bills

Help and Support from Energy Provider

It is important to let your energy provider(s) know if you are struggling to pay for fuel or are concerned about debt. There are a range of options suppliers can offer if you are struggling, including full payment plan reviews, affordable debt repayment plans, payment breaks, or reductions, all allowing you more time to pay. Similarly, if you're a prepayment customer, your supplier can offer you emergency credit.

Please access the links below for further information on what help is available: 

• Independent Fuel Debt Advice – British Gas Energy Trust (British Gas Energy Trust covers support on offer from all energy providers)
• energyadvice.scot
• The Scottish Power Hardship Fund
• Utilita Helping Hand Fund
• Octo Assist from Octopus

Warm Home Discount

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

If you might be eligible, you’ll get a letter by early January 2024.

If you do not get a letter and you think you’re eligible, you must contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 29 February 2024.

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.

Changes to The Winter Fuel Payment

There has been a change to The Winter Fuel Payment and so some people who have received it previously, may not receive it this year due to the new eligibility criteria. The Scottish Government was also due to introduce a like for like replacement this winter but this has been postponed until winter 2025/26.

For this winter, Fife residents will receive a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment administered by the DWP. This is not the same as the Winter Fuel Payment, as that payment is for England and Wales residents only, but is a like for like payment for Scottish residents.

You will qualify for this payment if you were born before 23rd September 1958 AND you are in receipt of one of the following benefits during the qualifying week of 16th September and 22nd September 2024.

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

If you are not already in receipt of any of the above benefits, enter your details in to the Fife Benefit Checker and if you are eligible you will receive an estimate of how much extra that payment could be per week. It will also provide information about any other entitlements you could be due.

Even if you are already receiving some benefits or have some savings it’s still worth checking.

If you have trouble using the online checker you can make an appointment or ask for a call back. We have advisors who are happy to help.

Please do not delay in applying for any entitlements. If you qualify for Pension Credit and your claim is submitted by 21st December 2024, any award made afterwards will be backdated for a period of 3 months and therefore the additional fuel payment will also be paid to you in retrospect.

Scotland Winter Heating Payment

Winter Heating Payment is to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. Social Security Scotland pays this to people living in Scotland.

It replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements.

Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.

Winter Heating Payment is a yearly payment of £55.05 that’s paid automatically.

Warmer Homes Scheme Scotland

In Scotland, you can apply for a grant of up to £7,500 (or £9,000 if you live in a rural or island area) to help fund energy-efficiency home improvements, including central heating, radiators, heating controls, draught-proofing and insulation. You have to have lived in your property for at least 12 months and be in receipt of certain benefits, or over 75 with no working heating system. More info and how to apply from Warmer Homes Scotland.

If you feel you are in crisis and are in need of urgent assistance please contact the Community Support Line on 0800 952 0330.