Help with energy bills:
every scheme available in 2026
A plain-English guide to every scheme that can reduce your energy bill or fund home improvements. Find out which ones you qualify for and how to apply.
The main schemes available in 2026 are the Warm Home Discount (£150 off your electricity bill), ECO4 (free insulation and heating for qualifying households, runs until December 2026), the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 towards a heat pump, no income test), and the energy social tariff from individual suppliers. If you are on Pension Credit, the Winter Fuel Payment may also apply.
Every scheme that can help with your energy bills
Warm Home Discount
A government-backed scheme providing £150 off your electricity bill between October and March. Automatic for most pensioners receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Some households on qualifying low-income benefits also qualify but may need to contact their supplier to claim. Your supplier must participate in the scheme.
ECO4 Scheme
Government-backed scheme funding free insulation, boilers, solar panels, heat pumps, and first-time central heating for households on qualifying benefits with an EPC rating of D or below. Worth up to £12,000 per home. Contact an accredited ECO4 installer for a free eligibility check. ECO4 runs until December 2026 with no replacement scheme currently announced.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
A £7,500 grant towards the cost of an air source or ground source heat pump. Unlike ECO4, there is no income test. Any homeowner can apply. The grant is deducted from the installer's quote, so you do not need to claim it separately. Runs until March 2028. Contact an accredited MCS installer to apply.
Winter Fuel Payment
An annual payment to help older people cover heating costs. As of 2024, the Winter Fuel Payment is means-tested and limited to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits. If you are of pension age and not currently receiving Pension Credit but may be eligible, it is worth applying as it also unlocks the Warm Home Discount.
Energy social tariff
Some energy suppliers offer a discounted rate to customers on benefits or low incomes. This is not a national scheme. Contact your supplier to ask whether they offer one and whether you qualify. See our full energy social tariff guide for details on eligibility and how to apply.
Household Support Fund
Distributed by local councils to help vulnerable households with food, clothing, and utility bills. You do not need to be on benefits to qualify. Eligibility varies as each council sets its own rules. Contact your local council directly to find out what help is available in your area. The fund has been extended until at least March 2026.
How to get help with your energy bills
The starting point for most people is their energy supplier. Call or message your supplier and ask two things: whether they offer a social tariff and whether you qualify for the Warm Home Discount. Both can be arranged directly. If you are on Pension Credit, the Warm Home Discount should be automatic but it is worth confirming with your supplier.
For ECO4, the process starts with an accredited installer rather than your supplier. An installer will assess your home's EPC rating and your benefit status to determine eligibility, then manage the application on your behalf. Given ECO4 ends in December 2026 with no replacement scheme confirmed, if you think you might qualify it is worth getting an eligibility check done sooner rather than later.
For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, contact an MCS-accredited heat pump installer. The £7,500 grant is deducted from the quote automatically, so you do not need to apply separately. For Household Support Fund help, contact your local council directly by searching your council name and "Household Support Fund".
Beyond the support schemes, the fastest way to reduce your bill is to check whether you are on the best available tariff. See our energy tariff comparison to find out what is available.
Also worth checking: your tariff
Support schemes aside, switching to a cheaper tariff is often the biggest single saving available. Five minutes to compare.
Questions people ask
The main schemes in 2026 are the Warm Home Discount (£150 off electricity), ECO4 (free home improvements until December 2026), the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 towards a heat pump), the Winter Fuel Payment for Pension Credit recipients, the energy social tariff from suppliers, and the Household Support Fund from local councils.
Contact your energy supplier and ask about their social tariff and Warm Home Discount eligibility. For ECO4, contact an accredited installer for a free eligibility check. For the Household Support Fund, contact your local council. For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, contact an MCS-accredited heat pump installer.
It depends on the scheme. The Warm Home Discount is automatic for most Pension Credit recipients. ECO4 targets households on qualifying benefits with an EPC rating of D or below. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income test. The Household Support Fund varies by council. The social tariff requires contact with your supplier to confirm.
Yes, if you qualify for ECO4. The scheme funds free insulation, boilers, solar panels, and heat pumps for households on qualifying benefits with an EPC rating of D or below. ECO4 ends December 2026. Contact an accredited ECO4 installer for a free eligibility check as soon as possible.
Related energy guides
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