Financial Support for this Winter
Contents
- Get financial support
- The Household Support Fund
- Heat The Home Counties
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Tax Relief
- West Berkshire-Collective Energy Switch
- Cold Weather Payment
Get financial support
There are grants, benefits and sources of advice to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It's worthwhile claiming all the benefits you are entitled to before winter sets in, terms and conditions apply.
Click here for further information
For support and advice you can also visit Citizens Advice West Berkshire website or call freephone 0808 2787994.
Cost of living support
Are you struggling with the cost of living, find out what benefits and financial support are available to help you. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel at: www.gov.uk/cost-of-living
The Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund is a one-off payment for individuals or families living in West Berkshire who are experiencing hardship. You do not need to be receiving other benefits to apply and the scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Household Support Fund is there to support those most in need with household costs such as energy bills, food, clothing and housing costs in exceptional circumstances. Click here for more information or to apply for the fund.
Heat The Home Counties
In West Berkshire you may be eligible for a grant to support with improving the heating and energy efficiency of your home. The grant is means-tested and the application will be considered based on household income, receipt of benefits and energy costs.
For more information click here or call: 01344 888 930.
Winter Fuel Payments
If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills this winter 2024 to 2025.
Visit the gov.uk page to find out more or call: 0800 731 0160.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2024 to 2025 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you, it is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2024 and 31 March 2025.
You may qualify for the government's Warm Home Discount Scheme if you:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, known as the 'core group'
- you're on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme, known as the 'broader group'
For more info please visit or call: 0800 731 0214.
Tax Relief for working at home
You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home on a regular basis, either for all or part of the week.
For more info click here.
Cold Weather Payment
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. You do not need to apply. If you're eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you'll be paid it automatically. You'll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. For more information please click here.
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