The second cost of living payment has been announced, with three instalments totalling around £900. You don’t need to apply to get the cost of living payment, you can find out if you’re eligible.
The first instalment is due to be paid in spring of this year 2023. The exact date has not been released but it is said to be around April or May time. The first payment will be £301 and will be paid separately from your universal credit payment.
The second payment of £300 will be in Autumn, October or November, again this will be paid separately from your universal credit payment.
The third payment is expected in the spring of 2024, the final payment will be £299 making a grand total of £900.
If you claim any disability benefits you will also receive a further £150. An additional £300 will be available for pensioners during the 2023/2024 winter period. You don’t need to apply however you need to be in receipt of pension credit to be eligible.
The energy price cap looks set to end in April of 2023, a new energy price increase looks set to hit around £3,000 per year for the average household.
Additional help may be provided for those that need it most, speak to your local council or follow the links below
| Supplier Scheme | Eligibility Criteria | How Much You Could Get | How To Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Families Fund | - Can't have had British Gas grant in past two years - In fuel debt of £250 or more and no savings over £1,000 - Must have sought help from money advice agency in the last three months - See full info on the British Gas website | Up to £1,500 | Via the British Gas Energy Trust website |
| British Gas Energy Trust 'Individuals and Families Fund' British Gas Energy Trust Energy Support Fund | - Can't have had British Gas grant in past 12 months - In fuel debt of £250 or more (no requirement regarding maximum savings, though income and outgoings will be assessed) - See full info on the British Gas website | Up to £1,500 | Via the British Gas Energy Trust website |
| EDF Energy Customer Support Fund | - Experiencing hardship, or struggling to manage energy debt - See full info on the EDF website | No set limit – depends on your circumstances | Via the 'Let's Talk' web form or by calling 0800 269 450 (1) |
| E.on Next Energy Fund Also open to customers of: Sainsbury's Energy | - No set criteria, but based on needs and ability to pay energy bills - See full info on the E.on Next website | No set limit – depends on your circumstances | Via the 'Let's Talk' web form (1) |
| Octopus Energy Octo Assist Fund Also open to customers of: Affect Energy, Co-operative Energy, Ebico Living, London Power, M&S Energy | - No specific eligibility criteria - See full info on the Octopus website | No set limit – depends on your circumstances | Via the Octopus web form (you must be logged into your account) |
| Ovo Energy Hardship Scheme Also open to customers of: Boost, SSE | - Full criteria not yet published but likely to include those in energy debt with little/no disposable income, those using medical equipment and those eligible for the Warm Home Discount - See more info on the Ovo website | Supplier wouldn't confirm | Call Ovo on 0330 303 5063 or use its live chat (online form coming soon) |
| Scottish Power Hardship Fund | - In receipt of: income support, jobseeker's allowance, pension credit, or employment and support allowance - See full info on the Scottish Power website | Varies depending on need and funds available | Via Scottish Power's web form |
| Shell Energy Support Fund | - No specific eligibility criteria - See full info on the Shell Energy website | No set limit – depends on your circumstances | Call Shell on 0330 094 5800 |
| Utility Warehouse Customer Support Scheme (in partnership with charity Citizens Advice) | - In fuel poverty, or about to go into energy debt or run out of prepay credit | Supplier wouldn't confirm | confirm Call Utility Warehouse on 0333 777 0777 |
| Package | Price | Average speed | You could qualify if you receive... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Broadband Air Support | £20 a month | 100 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| BT Home Essentials | £15 a month | Around 36 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| BT Home Essentials 2 | £20 a month | Around 67 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Community Fibre Essential | £12.50 a month | 20 Mbit/s | Open to all |
| Country Connect Social Tariff | £15 a month | 50 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| EE Basics | £12 a month | Up to 25 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband | £15 a month | 50 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Grayshott Gigabit Connect | £20 a month | 100 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50 | £15 a month | 50 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150 | £20 a month | 150 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| KCOM Full Fibre Flex | £14.99 a month | 30 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Lightning Fibre Social Tariff | £15 a month | 50 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| Lothian Broadband Social Tariff | £19.99 a month | 100 Mbit/s | Open to all |
| NOW Broadband Basics | £20 a month | 36 Mbit/s | Universal Credit or Pension Credit |
| Sky Broadband Basics | £20 a month | 36 Mbit/s | Universal Credit or Pension Credit |
| Virgin Media Essential Broadband | £12.50 a month | 15 Mbit/s | Universal Credit |
| Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus | £20 a month | 54 Mbit/s | Universal Credit |
| Vodafone Essentials Broadband | £12 per month | 38 Mbit/s | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| VOXI For Now | £10 a month | 5G where available | Various benefits (in and out of work)* |
| WightFibre Essential Broadband | £16.50 a month | 100 Mbit/s | Universal Credit or Pension Credit |