There are practical ways you can improve your energy efficiency to help reduce your heating costs. Residents may also be entitled to help with utility bills:
Help with fuel and energy bills
There are a range of grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.
Information and support is available from:
- Help with your energy bills
- Help for Households
- Money Helper - Help with cost of living
- Energy Saving Trust
- Live Well York - Talk Money
Home Energy Efficiency
The Home Energy Efficiency Team are passionate about helping you to save energy, money and carbon. We want to make sure that you feel warm and healthy in your own home all-year-round. Find out more about the different Home Energy Efficiency Schemes we have available.
Household Support Fund
The government has provided additional funding for the Household Support Fund (HSF) to support households who are struggling to pay their bills.
The aim is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.
Find out more about the Household Support Fund and apply online.
York Food and Fuel Voucher Scheme
If you're struggling to pay your bills you may be able to get a fuel voucher. Fuel vouchers are a contribution towards household gas, electricity and oil costs.
Food and fuel vouchers are available to York residents as part of advice and support services and where people have immediate need.
Services will discuss the best options for people depending on their circumstances. This may be an appointment or referral to another service. Advice and support will include where appropriate a benefits check, completing budgeting sheet and looking at the range of support for that person and their family.
Applications to our York Food and Fuel Voucher Scheme are considered as part of the advice and support services; and people will need to provide confirmation of their circumstances.
See details of advice and support services in York.
If people need assistance with energy bills, but do not want to contact a support service, or this is not appropriate, other support is available from:
Winter Fuel Payment
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
You don't need to claim if you get any of the following:
- income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income support
- child tax credit
- pension credit
- universal credit
- working tax credit
You will need to claim if you're eligible and live abroad.
Check if you need to claim
If you're awaiting a Pension Credit decision, you'll get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically when your claim for Pension Credit is approved.
If you've applied for Pension Credit but haven't yet received a decision, you do not need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre about your eligibility.
The Winter Fuel Payment is a payment of between £100 and £300, tax free, to help pay heating bills.
See further information about how to claim Winter Fuel Payment (GOV.UK).
It's important people check their entitlement to pension credit to make sure they do not miss out on Winter Fuel Payment
Cold Weather Payment
If you receive Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you're automatically paid a Cold Weather Payment when the temperature reaches 0°C (32°F) or below, for 7 days in a row. You’ll get a payment of £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Tell your Pension Centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but haven’t.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that offers a £140 discount off your energy bill.
You can qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
Find out more about the Warm Home Discount scheme (GOV.UK).
Help with water bills
Contact Yorkshire Water for support to make your bills more affordable; they can provide payment plans, capped charges and tailored arrangements if you’re struggling to pay.
You can also get information on saving water in your home, including free products to help save water.
Help with broadband and landline bills
Comparing and switching broadband and landline providers can reduce the cost of these bills. See guidance on the MoneyHelper website for how to save on landline and broadband bills.
Some providers offer social tariffs which are only available to customers who receive certain government benefits.
If you're claiming benefits and looking for work, talk to your Job Coach about help for job seekers to get online from the Department of Work and Pensions.
You can also find help with your internet connection and data sim cards online.
Benefits Calculator
Use our benefits calculator to make sure you are not missing out on any financial support.