Bills, Energy use and Debt

• Household Support Fund
• KCC household support fund for self referral

Those in receipt of certain means-tested benefits (excludes Northern Ireland) it’s paid automatically into the account that your benefits are paid into. If you haven’t received it but think you should, you can report a missing payment.

• £301 from 25 April 2023
• £300 from 31 October 2023
• £299 in spring 2024

Pensioners born on or before 5 October 1957 are entitled to a winter fuel payment of up to £600. This winter, an additional £300 top-up is included. Those eligible will receive an automatic payment in November or December 2023.

See MSE below

A supplementary disability benefit payment of £150 was available for a limited time and is now closed for new applications.

During extremely cold periods, we understand the need for extra heating. The Cold Weather Payment provides you with £25 for every 7 consecutive days with temperatures at or below 0 degrees. This is paid automatically, Between November and March, within 14 days of each cold weather period.

If eligible, you will automatically receive a rebate of £150 through the Warm Home Discount Scheme from your energy provider.

We offer grants designed to help you manage and pay off energy-related debts, ensuring that you can maintain a warm and secure living environment.

For more information, Please contact the team.

This fund is available to anyone, it offers grants of up to £1,500 to help with energy debt. Eligibility criteria is quite strict, but generally, to access the scheme you need to be spending more than 10% of your income on energy, have less than £1,000 in savings, have energy debts of at least £250 and have already sought advice on money issues from a charity or money advisor. You also can’t have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years.

We would advise speaking to a charity to make an application such as National Energy Action or Citizens Advice.

You can contact Green Doctors if you are on a low income and would like help to:

• Switching your energy tariff to a better deal
• Reduce your energy use at home
• Access the Warm Homes Discount or Priority Services Register
• Apply for energy or water debt relief
• Prepayment Energy Vouchers

For more information, please contact the home energy team.

The Priority Services Register is designed for residents who fulfill specific criteria, including receiving a pension, having disabilities, chronic illnesses, long-term medical conditions, hearing/visual impairments, or additional communication needs, and being in a vulnerable situation.