Gas and electricity discounts for the disabled

If you’re disabled or caring for someone who is, you are likely to be feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis more than most.

Unfortunately, although support for this demographic is severely lacking in the energy market, there exists some select one-time and ongoing assistance from the government and energy suppliers which may help.

What government grants and schemes are available for disabled people?

Although most are not exclusive to those with disabilities, there are a number of government grants and schemes available that energy customers with a disability may be eligible for. These include:

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

Those receiving disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance will automatically qualify for the Disability Cost of Living Payment. This payment is due to be made in the Summer of 2023.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Disability Cost Living payment of £150, you must be receiving one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance for adults
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• Personal Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

How do I apply?

You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible, you will receive the payment automatically. Most people will be paid between 20 June 2023 and 4 July 2023.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 Scheme

The ECO4 scheme was introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of low income and vulnerable households. Under the ECO scheme, eligible applicants can receive funding to help make their house more energy efficient. Home improvements that are covered include wall and roof installation, double glazing, and upgrading heating systems.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off government payment of £150 designed to reduce eligible customers’ gas and electricity bills over the winter period.

Eligibility

Qualifying for the Warm Home Discount Scheme will depend on where you live:

If you live in England and Wales

You are eligible if you either:

• receive the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit
• are on a low income and have high energy costs

If you live in Scotland

You are eligible if you either:

• receive the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit
• are on a low income and meet your energy provider's requirements for the scheme

If you live in Northern Ireland

Unfortunately, the Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.

How do I apply?

The scheme is currently closed, but will reopen again in October 2023.

Scotland’s Child Winter Heating Assistance

Households in Scotland with a disabled child or children under the age of 19 are eligible for the Child Winter Heating Assistance. It is a one-off payment designed to help disabled children and their families with increased heating costs over winter.

The payment for winter 2023/24 is £235.70.

Eligibility

To qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance you must be receiving one of the following means-tested benefits:-

• ·the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
• the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance for children
• the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment 
• must be getting this on at least one day in the third full week of September. In 2023 this will be Monday 18 September to Sunday 24 September.

How do I apply?

Eligible children and young people living in Scotland do not need to apply. Payments will be made automatically.

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment will be made to you if you live in an area in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland where the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. This is classed by the UK government as "very cold weather". You will receive £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between November 2023 and March 2024.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you receive:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may also receive Cold Weather Payments if you have:

• a severe or enhanced disability premium
• a pensioner premium
• a child who is disabled
• Child Tax Credit includes a disability or severe disability element

How do I apply?

The Cold Weather Payment scheme is currently closed, but will reopen again on 1 November 2023, in at which time you will be able to check eligibility.

I live in Scotland. Can I apply for Cold Weather Payments?

No. In Scotland, the Cold Weather Payment Scheme has been replaced with the Winter Heating Payment. It is a one-off payment of £50, designed to help low-income households who might require extra heating needs. 

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for the Winter Heating Payment is assessed by Social Security Scotland and is based on the type of benefits you get and your circumstances during the "qualifying week" (the qualifying week is yet to be determined for 2023, but will be sometime in November).

How do I apply?

The scheme is currently closed and will reopen in November 2023.

Rebate while using an oxygen concentrator

If you have a disability which requires you to use an oxygen concentrator, you can get a rebate for the electricity the device uses. You will receive a rebate payment every 3 months that the device is in use.

If you already have a concentrator but your rebate has not been set up, you will need to contact the supplier of your concentrator. Suppliers of oxygen concentrators will differ depending on where you live.

London or the South West: contact Air Liquide Healthcare.

The North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, or the West Midlands: contact Baywater Healthcare.

The East of England or East Midlands: contact BOC Home Oxygen Service.

The North East or the South East: contact Dolby Vivisol Home Respiratory Care.

What other support has been available?

For the winter period of 2022/23, households across the UK with a domestic electricity connection received £400 off the cost of their energy bill through the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS). This discount was applied over six months, with £66 paid in October and November 2022, and £67 paid in December, January, February and March respectively. The EBSS was a non-repayable discount, meaning it did not need to be repaid.

What if I didn’t receive the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount?

Some households may have missed out on the discounts on their energy bill because they either don’t have an electricity meter at home or a contract with an electricity supplier, such as some care home residents or households on a heat network. An online application for the £400 support can be made through the EBSS Alternative Funding Scheme with GOV.UK.

Applications can also be made via the Alternative Funding helpline on 0808 175 3287. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm. Email applications are also accepted, with submissions to be made to alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk.

The Priority Services Register (PSR)

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free support service operated by energy providers and network operators. It is designed to ensure extra help is available to vulnerable customers, including those with a disability.

Services offered by the PSR include:

Tailored Communication

Account information and bills available in large print, Braille, textphone, audio, or a language other than English.

Nominee Services

Nominate a friend, family member, or carer to receive bills and information about your account from your supplier.

Emergency Power

If you use medical equipment that uses electricity or water, you’ll be given priority service during prolonged interruptions to your energy supply. Portable generators and bottled water can also be arranged to be delivered to your place of residence.

Advanced notice of planned power cuts

If your energy needs to be switched off to carry out essential maintenance, you will receive prior advance notice.

An official website has now been launched where you can fill in your details and be added to the Priority Services Register. Simply enter your postcode and complete the sign-up questionnaire. Alternatively, you can phone your supplier and asked to be placed on the PSR.

Grants to help if you’re disabled and struggling to pay your energy debt

A number of energy suppliers have set-up grants to help vulnerable customers pay their energy bills through the cost-of-living crisis.

If you’re facing energy debt, you may qualify for assistance from your supplier.

Make sure you’re paying what you should for your energy

We understand that managing your energy isn’t always easy, especially if you have a disability. That’s why, by using our free service, we’ll help you find the best energy tariff to suit your circumstances to bring you peace of mind that you’re paying the best possible price for your energy.