As the temperatures drop, many people of pension age in the UK may be eligible for extra support through winter payments, discounts and benefits.
There are also year-round reductions or discounts to help with household costs. Here we highlight some key benefits and discounts available.
1. Winter Fuel Payment
A tax-free payment for older people to help with heating costs during the winter months.
The current (2025/26) value of the Winter Fuel Payment ranges from £100 to £300 depending upon individual circumstances.
This financial support is designed to help with the added costs of colder months, including heating bills and other essential services. However, many people are missing out because they aren’t aware that the support is available or don’t check their eligibility.
Who’s eligible? People of State Pension age and living in England or Wales during a qualifying week September. In Scotland, the same payment is known as Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
The variation in how much someone receives is based on age and circumstance:
- £200 – £300 for someone who lives alone, taking into consideration their age and whether or not they are receiving benefits such as pension credit or universal credit.
- £100 – £200 for someone living with another person. This is dependent upon the age of both people and whether or not they are receiving benefits such as pension credit or universal credit.
- £100-£150 for someone living in a care home, dependent upon their age.
The Winter Fuel Allowance is a one-off payment received automatically in November or December. For those with an annual income of more than £35,000, the payment will be reclaimed by the Government through the tax system.
Further information on who is entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment is available on Gov.uk.
2. Cold Weather Payments
An additional payment for low-income households through the DWP’s (Department for Work and Pensions) called Cold Weather Payments is available in England and Wales.
It can be paid from 1st November until the end of March.
These are an automatic bank top-ups of £25, paid to eligible households when the average temperature in the area has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days.
Some people in Scotland may be eligible for a single payment during winter called Winter Heating Payment. This is a one-off payment of £59.75.
Who’s eligible? It is automatically paid to those on certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Income Support or Universal Credit (in specific circumstances).
Find more information on the Cold Weather Payment.
3. Warm Home Discount Scheme
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 and you’ll usually get the discount automatically. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland.
Who’s eligible? If you live in England and Wales you qualify if you get either the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
If you live in Scotland you qualify if you get the credit and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.
Find more information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
4. Great British Insulation Scheme
It may be possible to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce the home’s energy bills. You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (renting privately or from a housing association) and be eligible. If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.
Who’s eligible? Someone might get support if their home:
- Has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G – check your EPC.
- Is in Council Tax bands A-D in England, or A-E in Scotland or Wales – check your Council Tax band.
You may be able to get support to install cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation. You may be able to get support to install other types of insulation. Your energy supplier will tell you what support you can get after assessing your home.
To check if you can get support, you’ll need:
- The total household income.
- The type of benefits anyone living in the property receives.
- Your email address or phone number so your energy supplier can contact you if you’re eligible.
Find more information and help to make an application for the Great British Insulation Scheme.
5. Pension Credit
A benefit to boost weekly income for pensioners on low incomes.
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a low income. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It’s separate from the State Pension.
Why it matters: Pension Credit acts as a “gateway” to other benefits, including Cold Weather Payments and free NHS services.
Who’s eligible? Someone could be eligible if either they or their partner have both reached State Pension age, or one is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.
Pension Credit tops up the weekly income to £227.10 for a single person, or a joint weekly income to £346.60 if someone has a partner (figures current for 2025).
If the income is higher, someone might still be eligible for Pension Credit if they have a disability, they care for someone, they have savings or they have housing costs.
People of State Pension age should put in a claim from the DWP before mid December in order to receive this payment. When making an application for Pension Credit, it’s important for applicants to ask for their claim to be backdated for three months as this is not done automatically by the DWP. This will ensure that if their claim is successful and they will also get their Winter Fuel Payment this year.
The Pension Credit Calculator may help establish if someone is eligible.
6. Household Support Fund
There may be help with essential costs from someone’s local council. This is sometimes known as the Household Support Fund.
This could help if someone is struggling to afford things like energy and water bills, food and other essential items.
Who’s eligible? Funding is aimed at anyone who’s vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.
If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme. Councils decide how to run their schemes. There may be differences in eligibility criteria, if or how you need to apply and who money is given to. For example, some councils share out money through local charities and community groups and some limit household applications to one per year.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available.
7. Broadband and phone social tariffs
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them “essential” or “basic” broadband.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Who’s eligible? If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available.
All major providers also include people on Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support. Some providers might include additional benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance. The person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract.
How to apply – First, check if your current provider offers a social tariff. Most tariffs can be applied for online, or you can call the provider and ask to switch.
8. VAT relief for people with mobility issues and/or disabilities
People who are disabled or have a long-term illness will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for their own personal or domestic use.
Also, they will not be charged VAT on:
- Installation and any extra work needed as part of this.
- Repairs or maintenance.
- Spare parts or accessories.
The product AND the disability must qualify. Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability will qualify. For example, certain types of:
- Adjustable beds.
- Stair lifts.
- Wheelchairs.
- Medical appliances to help with severe injuries.
- Alarms.
- Braille paper or low vision aids – but not spectacles or contact lenses.
- Motor vehicles – or the leasing of a motability vehicle.
- Building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet.
To get the product VAT free, your disability must qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:
- You have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness.
- You have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes.
- You’re terminally ill.
Find out more on Gov.uk.
You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.
For further information
Age UK is urging any older person living on a low income or struggling with their bills to contact their free advice line on 0800 678 1602, to check they’re receiving all the financial support available. Alternatively, people can visit www.ageuk.org.uk/money or contact their local Age UK for information and advice.
Age UK hosts a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator which can provide an estimate of the benefits that people could be entitled to.
