The UK government has confirmed that millions of households across the country will receive a £100 payment to help with energy bills this winter. Chancellor John Healey announced the extra payment in his Budget last week, alongside other measures including an increase in the minimum wage and the removal of gas standing charges from energy bills.
Who is eligible for the £100 payment?
Households in England are eligible for the Household Energy Payment if they are liable for council tax on, and live in, a property in council tax bands A to D as their main home. This includes most households that are exempt from council tax. Second homes, empty properties, and households where the householder is not responsible for paying council tax are not eligible.
Residents can check their council tax band on the government website.
When will people receive payment?
The UK government has confirmed that the £100 payments will be made from January 2027. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Chancellor said: "I know rising energy bills are a real worry and people look to government to give them a bit of breathing space. So this winter for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, I am announcing a £100 energy payment for households."
He added: "That's a £2.6bn scheme to take the pressure off in the coldest months and see people through to the spring. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments will receive their share of the funding, but I call on them to do the same and give people in all nations in the UK breathing space on their energy bills this winter."
How to claim the payment
In a statement shared on social media, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "This is a cost of living announcement. We're giving the majority of households a £100 payment with their energy bills this winter. You're eligible if you're in Council Tax bands A-D. If you pay by Direct Debit, you don't need to do anything to claim it. It will be paid directly into your bank account. If you don't pay by Direct Debit, your council will invite you to apply directly."
The £100 payment is intended to provide "breathing space" for families as the government aims to tackle the cost of living crisis, with the scheme covering 20 million households across council tax bands A to D.
