Your answer
Not eligible for the £100 — ask your council about the £100m discretionary fund.
Full eligibility criteria are still to be published. GOV.UK says most council-tax-exempt households will be included; until councils publish final guidance, treat "likely" as likely, not certain, and check GOV.UK / GOV.WALES and your council.
What may stack up for you
| Help | Status | Amount | How it arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household Energy Payment Source The Household Energy Payment will provide a £100 payment to households in Council Tax bands A to D in England, to help with their energy costs. | no | £100 | Only bands A to D get the £100. Ask your council about its discretionary fund instead. |
| Warm Home Discount Source The qualifying means-tested benefits are: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit | likely | £150 | Usually automatic: your electricity supplier takes £150 off your bill by 31 March 2027 (the money is not paid to you). Eligibility is based on 23 August 2026, your supplier being in the scheme, and your name being on the electricity bill. Watch for the letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027. |
| Council discretionary fund (£100m) Source we’re providing an additional £100 million for local authorities to provide discretionary support to these households who are not eligible for the £100 rebate | possible | — | Ask your council about this fund — it exists for households not eligible for the £100 who still need support. Your council sets its own criteria and will publish how to apply on its website once local arrangements are in place (not yet published). |
| Energy Debt Relief Scheme Source If the energy billpayer in your household is on means-tested benefits, disability benefits, or is a pensioner, and you have built up debt since the energy crisis of 2022-4, you will be eligible to have your debt written off through the Debt Relief Scheme, provided you take steps to re-engage with paying your debt. | likely | — | You look in scope: debt built up since the 2022–4 energy crisis plus means-tested/disability benefits or pensioner status. You must re-engage with your supplier. Ofgem is consulting on the final design, so the process is not open yet — talk to your supplier now and watch for Ofgem's update. |
| Electricity VAT cut Source You won’t pay VAT on your electricity bills from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027. You’ll pay standard 5% VAT again from 1 July 2027. You’ll automatically get the VAT cut if you pay your electricity bills. | automatic | Average £45 a year (GOV.UK) | Automatic on household electricity bills — no VAT from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027 (Citizens Advice); 5% VAT returns from 1 July 2027. You do not apply. A text or email asking you to apply is likely a scam. |
Gas standing charge — ILLUSTRATION — not a forecast
At your use (9,500 kWh/year) the illustration gives £0.00 a year (negative means you save). Unit-rate uplift: 1.14p/kWh on a 29.68p/day standing charge.
| User | Gas kWh/year | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| Low user (half typical) | 4,750 | −£54.17 |
| Typical user (Ofgem TDCV) | 9,500 | £0.00 |
| High user (double typical) | 19,000 | £108.33 |
GOV.UK says standing charges on gas bills could be removed "as early as 2027", with the costs moving to the unit rate; Ofgem's design is still pending and targeted mitigation for some high-use households is to come. This illustration assumes a simple revenue-neutral move at typical use, so low users gain and high users pay more. Your region and tariff will differ.
Next steps
- Sat 14 Nov 2026 — Debt Relief Scheme: re-engage with your energy supplier now — tell them about your debt and ask to be kept updated while Ofgem consults on the final design.
- Fri 1 Jan 2027 — The £100 payments start for eligible households. If you need help, ask your council about its discretionary fund and check its website for local criteria.
- Tue 5 Jan 2027 — Warm Home Discount: if you have had no letter by early January 2027 and think you are eligible, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme (you must do so before 26 February 2027).
- Fri 26 Feb 2027 — Warm Home Discount deadline: if your letter asks for more information, call the helpline by this date to confirm your details.
- Wed 31 Mar 2027 — Warm Home Discount: your electricity supplier should have applied the £150 discount to your bill by this date.
- Wed 30 Jun 2027 — Electricity VAT cut ends (no VAT ran from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027 per Citizens Advice); standard 5% VAT returns from 1 July 2027.