Fuel Bank Foundation
A £49 Fuel Bank voucher is available.
- vouchers are usually issued within 24 hours and are valid for 30 days.
- vouchers are redeemed at PayPoint outlets, with the exception of British/Scottish Gas where the vouchers are Post Office and must be redeemed at a Post Office.
Who's eligible
- Prepayment meter customers for gas/electricity
- If you are in fuel crisis
How to access
You can be referred through the Community Advice Services team and Advice and Support Hub staff.
Fuel Bank Heat Fund
This fund is available for financially vulnerable households who live off the gas grid and rely on bulk fuel deliveries. The Heat Fund ensures people are not left without energy for basics like heating or hot water.
Who's eligible
- Your household must rely on coal, wood, heating oil, or LPG as primary source of heat.
- Your household must be off the gas grid and not use electricity as the primary source of heating.
- You must be located in Scotland.
- You are EITHER living without heat because you are unable to afford to purchase fuel, OR are imminently at risk of living without heat because you are unable to afford to purchase bulk fuel (imminently means within 7 days).
You can be referred through the Community Advice Services team and Advice and Support Hub staff.
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland offer free and impartial energy advice, information on grants and loans, tariff advice and income maximisation.
For more information, visit Home Energy Scotland.
Warmer Homes Scotland
If you are struggling to heat your home, you could be eligible for support from the Scottish Government funded Warmer Homes Scotland Programme to help make your home warmer and cosier.
Apply at Home Energy Scotland.
Scottish Welfare Fund - Crisis Grant
To meet an urgent need that poses an immediate and substantial risk to health and safety eg food and energy supply (electricity or gas).
Who's eligible
You can apply if you:
- live in the Falkirk Council area
- are legally resident in the UK
- aged 16 and over
- are on a qualifying benefit eg Income Support or low income
- do not have any access to other appropriate sources of financial support
- are subject to a sanction or disallowance by the DWP and have had your benefit reduced as a result (you may be considered for a Crisis Grant until you can arrange a hardship payment).
How to access
Apply using the Scottish Welfare fund online form.
Or visit one of our Advice and Support Hubs.
The Scottish Welfare Fund Helpline is open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays):
Child Winter Heating Payment
A benefit from the Scottish Government to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter.
This benefit is paid once a year. The payment for winter 2024-2025 is £251.50.
Who's eligible
- Young people aged 19 or younger and get one of the following:
- 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 rate of Personal Independence Payment
- the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
How to access
Those eligible are automatically paid.
Usually paid from end of November onwards.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 23 September 1958 you could get between £100 and £300 to help towards paying your heating bills in winter 2024 -2025. You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.
To find out if you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment phone 0800 731 0160 or visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
Winter Heating Payment
This replaces the Cold Weather Payment and helps people on low incomes who might have extra heating needs.
This is a one off payment of £58.75 paid automatically for winter 2024-2025.
OVO Customer Support Package
OVO Energy is offering additional help to customers who are struggling with their energy costs in the form of financial and practical support.
Apply at OVO's Customer Support Package.
Scottish Gas
Scottish Gas offers help and support to customers facing financial hardship.
- Grants of up to £2,000 for customers struggling with bills through the British Gas Energy Trust.
- £250 of non-repayable credit for those eligible on prepayment meters. There is no need to apply.
- Targeted support for vulnerable customers who face fuel poverty with 100% matching bill payments with credit over 6 months.
This support package is exclusively available to Scottish Gas customers; however, the firm extends further financial assistance to all households, regardless of their supplier, via the British Gas Energy Trust.
The charity offers help such as debt relief grants, small emergency energy grants and access to a network of 45 funded money and energy advice centres.
Customers with smart meters can also sign up to PeakSave Sunday, where electricity consumption between 11-4pm is half price. They are also asking customers to save electricity on certain days and times this winter.
Octopus Energy – Octo Assist Fund
The Octo Assist Fund offers a number of support options based on circumstances and needs - including access to existing schemes, monetary credits from the fund, or personalised account support, this can include anything from the return of credit to payment holidays. To apply, customers just need to fill out the financial support form online.
It's a simple tool that asks a series of questions about the customer's financial situation. From here, it'll be decided what the most appropriate means to help is and just how they'll be able to support.
E.ON Next Energy Fund
Grants towards bills and replacement appliances.
Who's eligible
How to access
You can contact E.ON Next Energy Fund or you can be referred through our Debt Advice Team.
Scottish Power Hardship Fund
Customers can receive a full or partial award to their arrears and then their Scottish Power account will be credited. Awards will only be paid once the customer commits to a payment arrangement towards their on-going usage.
Who's eligible
- Scottish Power customers only.
How to access
You can apply for the Scottish Power Hardship Fund or you can be referred through our Debt Advice Team.
To qualify, customers must meet the terms and conditions and be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment or Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credits
- Working Tax Credits
Customers can also qualify if they have a low household income or special circumstances for example, income reduction or illness.
SGN Assisted Connections – Help to Heat
Designed to assist customers with a free or reduced price gas connection who are in receipt of a passport benefit; in fuel poverty or who qualify under a Local Authority Statement of Intent.
To find out if you are eligible, please contact YES Energy Solution:
Priority Services Register
You can apply to the Priority Services Register.
The register is a free support service from those in vulnerable situations. You can apply through your energy provider or network operator.
Ofgem rules mean energy suppliers must offer a payment plan people can afford.
Advice and Support
If you need help to claim benefits, unsure what benefits you may be entitled to or have recently been refused benefits the Welfare Benefits Team can help.
If you're worried about debt or are struggling to manage your money, we can help. The Debt Advice Team can give you help and advice on all types of debt including rent and mortgage arrears, council tax, personal loans, hire purchase agreements, credit cards, store cards, payday loans, catalogues, and fuel bills.
For more information on cost of living support: Benefits & support – Cost of living support.
For guidance on how to save energy at home: Wellbeing – Guidance on domestic energy saving.
Beware of scams
Scammers are targeting people struggling with their energy bills. Energy Advice offer free and practical advice on how to stay safe.