# Heatpay — your energy help check

**Verdict: Yes — £100 likely, paid automatically into your Direct Debit account from January 2027.**

Checked as of 2026-11-14.

## What may stack up for you

| Help | Status | Amount | How it arrives | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Energy Payment | automatic | £100 | Paid automatically into the bank account you use for your council tax Direct Debit, from January 2027. You do not need to apply. | [source](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-the-autumn-budget-2026-means-for-your-energy-bills) — “If you pay by direct debit and live in bands A to D, you don’t need to do anything – the rebate will be paid directly into your bank account.” |
| Warm Home Discount | no | £150 | The qualifying means-tested benefits are Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA and Pension Credit (as at 23 August 2026). On the benefits you selected, this does not apply. | [source](https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme) — “The qualifying means-tested benefits are: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit” |
| Council discretionary fund (£100m) | possible | — | This fund is aimed at households not eligible for the £100. If you are still struggling, you can ask your council — it sets its own criteria, not yet published. | [source](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-the-autumn-budget-2026-means-for-your-energy-bills) — “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” |
| Energy Debt Relief Scheme | no | — | This scheme covers debt built up since the energy crisis of 2022–4. You said you do not have energy debt from that period. | [source](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-the-autumn-budget-2026-means-for-your-energy-bills) — “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.” |
| Electricity VAT cut | 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. | [source](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/) — “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.” |

## Gas standing charge — ILLUSTRATION — not a forecast

Standing charge used: 29.68p/day. Typical gas use (Ofgem TDCV): 9,500 kWh/year. Unit-rate uplift in this illustration: 1.14p/kWh.
At your use (19,000 kWh/year): £108.33 a year (negative means you save).

| 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

- **Fri 1 Jan 2027** — Payments start: the £100 should arrive automatically in your Direct Debit account during January 2027 (Reading Borough Council says payments will be made from 1 January 2027).
- **Sun 31 Jan 2027** — Suggested check-in: if your £100 has not arrived (or you have had no invitation), contact your council via GOV.UK Find your local council. Use the copy-paste note below if it helps.
- **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.

## Note to send your council

```text
Dear Council Tax team,

I am writing about the £100 Household Energy Payment for council tax bands A to D, which I understand councils will pay from January 2027.
I pay my council tax by Direct Debit. Please could you confirm that the payment will arrive automatically in that account, and what I should do if it has not arrived by the end of January 2027?
Please could you also tell me how your discretionary fund for households who need energy support but are not eligible for the £100 will work, and when eligibility and application details will be published?

Thank you for your help.
```

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.

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Heatpay · Daily Ships · Educational guide, not financial or legal advice. Rules as published by 14 Nov 2026 — full eligibility criteria are still to be published; check GOV.UK / GOV.WALES and your council.