If you can't pay your energy bills, speak to your energy supplier as soon as you can. You might be able to set up a payment plan with them to help spread the cost of your bills.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.
Find out more or apply for a Winter Fuel Payment
Child Winter Heating Assistance
Child Winter Heating Assistance is a new benefit from the Scottish Government.
It's a payment of £200 for children and young people up to the age of 18. To get the payment they must meet two criteria on at least one day in the third full week of September (called the "qualifying week"). On that day they must:
- get the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance/Child Disability Payment for children
- be resident in Scotland
If a child or young person is eligible, you'll be paid automatically into the same account that your Disability Living Allowance for children is paid into.
Find out more or apply for Child Winter Heating Assistance
Winter Heating Payment
Some people in Scotland get a single payment during winter called Winter Heating Payment. You will get this payment automatically if you are in receipt of certain benefits.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
If your electricity supplier belongs to this scheme and you're getting the guarantee part of Pension Credit, you will automatically get an annual discount of £140 off your electricity bill. You may also be eligible if you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme.
Find out more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
SCARF
SCARF can provide information and advice about reducing your fuel bills and applying for grants.
Find out more about how SCARF can help you.
Energy grants
If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help pay it off. The British Gas Energy Trust is open to anyone who are in arrears with their energy providers. There are also other suppliers who offer grants to their own customers and it would be worth speaking with your supplier to check.
Before Applying
Charitable trusts like the applicant to show that they have received debt advice before they apply. Debt advice can help people manage their debts and increase their chances of making a successful application.
British Gas Energy Trust
Both customers and non-customers of British Gas can apply.
Find out more about the British Gas Energy Trust