Financial assistance
There is a range of financial assistance available detailed below:
Winter fuel payment
If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits. If you are eligible, you’ll normally get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically.
You will not get the extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment given in 2022 and 2023. It stopped in winter 2023.
Visit the government website to find out more.
ECO4 - energy company obligation
ECO4 is a government scheme aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and combating fuel poverty across Great Britain through whole house retrofit. Eligible households can own or rent their home and could receive a whole house package of measures which can make significant improvements to the energy performance of a property.
You could be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria and have an EPC rating of E, F or G:
- Total gross household income is less than £31,000.
- Someone in the household receives one or more qualifying benefit.
- Someone in the household has a long-term health condition impacted by cold such as: Respiratory disease, cardiovascular condition, limited mobility, or Immunosuppression.
For more information read the statement of intent for ECO flexible eligibility outlines the full criteria for the ECO Flex and GBIS scheme.
Warmer homes, greener district scheme
Warmer homes, greener district freephone advice line could help offers impartial over-the-phone advice on:
- How to stay warmer in winter.
- Problems with heating and hot water.
- Fuel bills, fuel debt and dealing with energy suppliers.
- What grants and assistance is currently available.
- Energy efficiency improvements and renewable technologies.
To eligible for financial assistance you must be able to say yes to all three of the below criteria:
- you are claiming a means tested benefit (such as universal credit) or earn less than £31,000 per annum for your household (including benefits and pensions).
- your home must have an energy rating of an E, F or G.
- your boiler must have been installed before 2005.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and want to apply, or to find out more, call the team on 0800 677 1543.
If you have a long-term health condition that is being exacerbated by the cold you can also ask your doctor to refer you to the the scheme and do not necessarily need to meet the above criteria - please ask your doctor to call the team on 0800 677 1543.
Warm home discount scheme
You could get money off your electricity bill for winter 2025/2026 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The scheme will reopen again in October 2025.
The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill.
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.
Visit the government website to find out more or speak to your supplier.
National concessionary fuel scheme
You could get free solid fuel or a cash allowance for fuel if you’re an ex-employee of the National Coal Board (NCB) or British Coal Corporation (BCC).
You need to qualify to get the fuel allowance through the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme (NCFS), and you can only get the cash allowance if you’re already getting fuel through the scheme.
Visit the government website to find out more.
The Great British insulation scheme
GBIS is a government initiative focused on delivering single insulation measures such as loft and wall insulation.
You could be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria and have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G:
- Live within council tax bands A, B, C or D
- Someone in the household receives one or more qualifying benefit.
- Total gross household income is less than £31,000.
- Someone in the household has a long-term health condition impacted by cold such as: Respiratory disease, cardiovascular condition, limited mobility, or Immunosuppression.
If you are on a low income and need financial help to install roof insulation, why not register your interest in The Great British Insulation Scheme .
Warm Homes Local Grant
The next Warmer Homes Programme, ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’, is due to launch in Summer/Autumn 2025 and will be open to both properties who are on or off gas.
You can pre-apply now and register your interest with Community Home Solutions.
urther details will be shared as soon as possible.
Find out more on the Staffordshire Warmer Homes webpages.
Staffordshire Warmer Homes
Staffordshire Warmer Homes is a scheme run by Staffordshire County Council, in partnership with district and borough councils.
Its goal is to combat fuel poverty across the county and help residents to heat their homes for less using greener and more energy efficient solutions.
Beat the cold
If you need help to make your home more energy efficient Beat the Cold are a Staffordshire charity who offer independent advice and support. You can get help with reducing your energy costs, dealing with bills and debt and they can tell you about any grants and discount schemes you're eligible for.
They offer support over the phone or for people who need more assistance they offer home visits.