Energy efficiency, fuel bills and keeping warm
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With the rising cost of energy and cost of living in general, many households may struggle to have enough money to heat their homes. This webpage contains lots of useful information and advice about actions you can take to help you stay warm and healthy through the winter months, including details of the support available to reduce energy bills and make energy efficiency improvements.
Get advice and support to stay well in winter
Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather but you can take small steps to keep you and your family healthy over winter. See our Winter Well page for tips and advice.
Other useful information can also be found in our Keeping Well in Winter and Beyond Guide.
Get help and advice to save energy at home
There are a number of ways you can save energy at home - from making simple no cost lifestyle changes and low-cost improvements, through to higher-cost heating and insulation measures. Our Get help and advice to save energy at home pages provide more information.
Get help to pay your fuel bills
Here are some ways that you could get help towards your energy costs this winter.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is extra money from the government to top up your pension income. It also acts as a passport to other entitlements, such as Cold Weather Payments, Council Tax reductions and help with health costs.
To claim Pension Credit, you must be over State Pension age and on a low income. You can check if you qualify here, or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Household Support Fund
This Government funding has been distributed to English councils, who can offer direct support for those most in need in their region.
Funding is aimed at the most vulnerable and those who cannot pay for things like energy and water bills, food and essential items. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council, and if you do get benefits, they will not be affected.
Local authorities can also issue food vouchers to families during the school holidays. For details of eligibility and how to apply visit https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/ householdsupportfund
Winter Fuel Payment
For winter 2025/26, the Winter Fuel Payments will range from £100 to £300 depending on age and circumstances. If your total income is over £35,000, you will still receive the payment, but it will be recovered later via HMRC.
Eligibility includes households with someone born on or before 21 September 1959. For further details visit https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre - Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Cold Weather Payment
Cold Weather Payments help people on a low income with their fuel costs.
You might qualify if you're getting Pension Credit or certain other benefits like Support for Mortgage Interest.
Each time the average temperature in your area falls below 0°C for seven days in a row between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, you'll receive £25.
You should automatically get a payment within 14 working days. This won't affect any of your other benefits. To find out more about Cold Weather Payments, visit www.gov.uk/coldweather-payment
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that gives eligible households £150 towards their winter energy costs. Qualifying households will automatically receive the discount for 2025/26 if you receive one of the following means-tested benefits on 25 August (the qualifying date for the payment).
• Housing Benefit,
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA),
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA),
• Income Support,
Pension Credit (both the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit elements will count), or
• Universal Credit. The money isn't paid to you but will be taken off your energy bill by your energy supplier.
To find out more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme, call 0800 030 9322 or visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Cost of Living Support
If you are struggling to pay bills, or are concerned about food and energy costs, a range of support may be available.
This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
More information can be found at www.gov.uk/cost-of-living
Help paying your water bill
Water companies understand that people can struggle to pay their bills and fall into debt at times. If this happens to you, contact your water company and explain your situation so that they can provide you with the best support they can offer.
Support can include reduced bills through social tariffs, debt support schemes and hardship funds.
For more information visit https://www.unitedutilities.com/my-account/ your-bill/difficulty-paying-your-bill/how-we-can-help/
You can also get advice from Energy Projects Plus at www.epplus.org.uk or free phone energy advice line 0800 043 0151.
Keep yourself warm
Find ways to help keep yourself warm during the Winter months here.
Energy efficiency improvement schemes
Energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation can make a big difference to bills, as can replacing an old inefficient boiler.
You may be eligible for free energy efficiency or heating measures - contact the following organisations to see what support is available:
• St Helens Borough Council's Affordable Warmth Team - 01744 676555,
• Save Energy Advice Line - 0800 043 0151,
• Your energy supplier and see if you qualify for the Energy Company Obligation,
• Other local grant schemes are available, such as the Warm Homes Local Grant. Visit the council's Save Energy webpage at www.sthelens.gov.uk/ saveenergy for more details,
• To see what measures are recommended for your property, create an action plan and see what support is available at https://www.gov.uk/ improve-energy-efficiency
Our Energy Efficiency Improvement Schemes webpage offers more information on available schemes.
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free service to help vulnerable people who may have additional needs. It allows your network operator to provide you with advance notice of planned power cuts and priority support in an emergency.
Emergency Power Cuts & Being Winter Ready
The Energy Networks Association and network operators have put together information on what you need to know should there be power cuts and how you can be as prepared as possible this winter.
For more information or advice about any of the above sections please complete our general enquiry form and a member of our Affordable Warmth Team will get back to you.
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