Help for Households
If you are struggling with the rising cost of living, the UK Government has created the Help for Households website which puts available financial support and advice all in one place.
See what cost of living support you could be eligible for at helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk (opens in new tab)
Winter Fuel Payment
Pensioners who claim certain benefits, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit, can get up to £300 towards their winter heating bills. To find out more, visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment (opens in new tab)
Warm Home Discount
Worth up to £140. Contact your energy supplier for more information or visit the UK Government website at www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme (opens in new tab)
Cold weather payment
£25 a week for each 7-day period of cold weather if you receive certain benefits. For more information visit coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk (opens in new tab)
Warm Homes loan scheme
A Warm Homes loan could help you pay for energy saving improvements to your home, such as heat pumps or solar panels.
Government support will help reduce the cost of borrowing on eligible loans. The loans themselves will be provided by a range of participating lenders, who will remain responsible for their individual products, interest rates, repayment terms, eligibility requirements, affordability checks and lending decisions.
Information, including eligible home improvements, participating lenders and how to apply is available on the Warm Homes Loan Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK (opens in new tab) page. Applications are made through participating lenders rather than directly to government.
Warm hubs
For details about free warm spaces near you, visit the Connect Torfaen (opens in new tab) website and search for “warm hub”
Advice
If you are struggling to pay your bills, contact your energy supplier in the first instance.
Energy Saving Trust
A non-profit organisation that provides free impartial advice to help you save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home. For more information visit the Energy Saving Trust (opens in new tab) website or telephone 0800 512 012.
Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)
The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) service offers energy advice and free energy saving measures. It is available to anyone with a household income below £31,000 or in receipt of a range of benefits. For more information email deborah.woodrow@ageconnectstorfaen.org or telephone 01495 769264.
Warmer Wales
A free comprehensive and impartial service that helps people to reduce their energy bills through supplier switching, insulation grants and more informed use. Call Citizens Advice Torfaen on 01633 876121 to speak to an Energy Adviser.
Nest Wales
The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme makes Welsh homes warmer and more energy efficient places to live.
Nest provides all households in Wales with free, impartial advice to help you reduce your energy bills, maximise your income, and lower your carbon footprint.
You could also be eligible for free home energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, a heat pump or solar panels.
Call freephone 0808 808 2244 or visit the website gov.wales/nest (opens in new tab)
Smart Meters
Can help to monitor your energy use and identify potential savings in your home. Contact your supplier for more information.
Pre-payment Meters
If you are struggling to top up meters, you are advised to contact your energy supplier. For more advice, visit the Citizens Advice (opens in new tab) website.
ECO4 Flex
Find out if you are eligible to apply for help to improve your home’s energy efficiency via the ECO4 Flex Scheme.