Help with energy and utility bills
If you are finding it difficult to pay for energy, water, phone or broadband bills, make sure that you are making the most of all available benefits, grants and payments, including the Household Support Fund. You may qualify for more than you think.
Energy
Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount
If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
If your taxable income is over £35,000, HMRC will take back your Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.
You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
Fuel poverty advice and help
Ridgewater Energy provides advice and help to residents in fuel poverty, and partnered with us to make an Energy and Money Saving booklet available on their website. They offer:
- expert energy-saving advice
- insulation, heating, and renewable energy
- free appliances and energy-saving products
- improved quality of life
- lower energy bills
They can check if you qualify for various schemes and grants, and help you get funding and quotes for insulation, heating, and renewable energy upgrades.
The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) service, managed by Ridgewater Energy, offers a free home visit to eligible residents in Dorset. All households with an annual income of less than £31,000 are eligible.
Support from Energy Providers
Many energy providers offer support for those struggling with energy bills. Contact your energy provider as soon as possible if you need help. The British Gas Energy Trust offers assistance regardless of your energy supplier.
Water Bill Assistance
These websites can help if you're struggling to pay your water bill:
Broadband and Phone Packages
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and some other benefits. Ofcom has information on social tariffs and the providers offering them.
Help with Your TV Licence
The Simple Payment Plan helps those in financial difficulty by spreading the cost of a TV licence over 12 months with smaller, more frequent payments.
TV Licensing accepts referrals to the Simple Payment Plan from not-for-profit organizations such as charities or local authority money advice departments. They do not accept referrals from commercial organizations.
For more information on the Simple Payment Plan and other TV licence concessions, visit the TV licensing website. Concessions are available for:
- People aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit
- People who are blind (severely sight impaired)
- People living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 and retired
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice BCP has a mobile outreach vehicle to make their services more accessible. The Community Advice Vehicle travels around our area regularly.