How can I reduce my fuel and energy costs if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Wales

Nest - If you live in Wales you can contact Nest to get free help and advice about benefits, managing your money and also make sure you are on the right fuel tariff. They also give you information about other schemes across Wales that offer home improvements at no or low cost:

0808 808 2244
Nest website
Mon - Fri 9am-6pm

Power Up! - Is run in partnership with Western Distribution, electricity networks and the Energy Saving Trust across South and Mid Wales. They offer free and impartial advice on getting the best deal, no matter who supplies your gas or electricity. They can also help with benefits checks and debt advice. Further information including contact details can be found in their leaflet:

Power Up! - Energy Advice (PDF)

Northern Ireland

Find out more about energy saving grants if you live in Northern Ireland on the NIdirect website.

Scotland

Child Winter Heating Payment (formally called Child Winter Heating Assistance)

Child winter heating assistance is payable to all families with a severely disabled child, aged 18 or under and receiving one of the following benefits on at least 1 day during the 'qualifying week'. The qualifying week is the third week in September every year.

the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment

The child winter heating payment is £235.70 in winter 2023-2024 and is payable for each severely disabled child. If a qualifying benefit is awarded later but backdated to cover this date, child winter heating payment is awarded. Child Winter Heating Payment is issued automatically, and recipients do not usually need to apply.

Further information, including whether you need to apply, can be found on the mygov.scot website.

Winter Fuel Payment

Social Security Scotland informed stakeholders that their equivalent of the winter fuel payment (WFP), due to launch this year, has been deferred for one year. The decision comes on the back of the UK government’s decision to change the eligibility criteria for WFP.

People over pension age who are living in Scotland will receive the WFP from the DWP as per previous years, but only those who qualify under the new rules by having a means tested benefit entitlement. Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment of £55.50 that’s paid automatically.

Further information can be found on the mygov.scot website.

Debt Advice

If you are struggling to pay your fuel bills our Debt Advice webpage have information to help you find an expert debt adviser. Fuel arrears are a priority debt as it can result in your supply being cut off. Therefore it is vital to address it at as early as possible.