Winter can be a tough time for many of us, and the cold weather often means higher energy bills. But this year, the British government helped to ease the burden with a new £400 energy bill rebate for households.

We're approaching the end of the energy rebate and energy price guarantee, and many households are nervous about rising bills. In this post, we examine how the energy rebate helped us through those cold winter months - and whether further support is available.

What is the energy bill rebate?

The government provided every household with a domestic electricity connection with £400 off their electricity bill starting in October 2022. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

Don't worry, if you didn't know about this discount until now. If you pay by direct debit, credit card or payment card - you will have received an automatic deduction on your energy bills since the Autumn of last year. You don't need to pay it back, either.

The £400 was delivered in 6 instalments starting from October 2022 and ending on the 31st of March 2023. It helped reduce winter energy costs across the UK - and has been a lifesaver for British households!

When does the government energy payment stop?

The scheme is set to end on the 31st of March 2023.

At that point, all six instalments will have been paid out, and your energy bill will return to normal thereafter. If you have any questions about the end of the energy rebate scheme and how much your energy bill will be, contact your local energy provider for more information.

Is anything replacing the energy support scheme?

While there is nothing replacing the energy support scheme as such - there is other government help available for those struggling to pay their bills.

  • Cold Weather Payment - Available if the outside temperature drops below 0 degrees celsius for a week or more, and you already receive certain benefits.
  • Winter Fuel Payment - Pensioners can receive a winter fuel payment between £250 and £600 to help pay heating bills if they were born before the 26th of September 1956 and live in the UK.
  • Warm Home Discount - Receive a £150 discount on your bills if you live in a low-income household or receive Pension Credit.
  • Household Support Fund - Get in touch with your local council to see if you're eligible for this fund.

I can't pay my energy bills - what can I do?

Suppose you are having difficulty paying your bills due to financial hardship. In that case, there are organisations that can offer advice or assistance, including Citizens Advice and National Debtline, which offer free debt advice services. Some places like StepChange provide free debt management plans for those struggling with debt issues.

Your local council can also offer support or grants in specific circumstances. Make sure you check with them, too, if possible, before making any payments towards your bill that might put a further financial strain on yourself or your family members.

Alternatively, your electricity supplier may also provide their own hardship funds with certain eligibility requirements. It's worth speaking to energy suppliers directly to learn more about the options available and other third-party sources, such as welfare benefits.

If you can normally afford your repayments, but are having cashflow issues at the moment, you could even take out a loan or line of credit to help cover your energy bills through the end of winter. Once summer arrives, we can switch off the heating and still enjoy a warmer home!

 

The government has provided a great opportunity for many households this winter by offering a £400 rebate on electricity bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. But now it's time to prepare for the spring - by researching the other options available to help manage rising energy bills.