A range of schemes and grants are available to support organisations and residents with heating costs and energy efficiency.
These programmes provide financial assistance, improve the performance of heat networks, and help households manage winter energy expenses.
The table below gives an overview of the main schemes currently in place, outlining who can apply, what support is available, and key details on how and when to access them:
Scheme Who can apply More details Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Heat network providers – Third sector organisations such as registered charities, that are officially registered and submit annual accounts. Round 11 will be announced when it is open. Last round closed in September. HNES will support existing/operational communal heating networks that through HNES capital funding will address customer detriment and improve operational performance. Heat Training Grant Trustees/Clerks can get a grant of up to £500 towards eligible courses in areas such as operation and maintenance, metering and feasibility of heat networks. Applied for via training provider. One grant per person as a discount or rebate depending on the course price. A list of previous training providers is available on the grant webpage – new ones will be available shortly. The Warm Home Discount Scheme Residents qualify if they either: get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs Opened in October 2025. Cold Weather Payment Residents may get Cold Weather Payments if they get certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest . The criteria includes: Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Applied automatically if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. Residents will get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026. Winter Fuel Payment Residents born before 23 September 1958, could get either £200 or £300 to help pay heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. Oct/Nov – eligible residents should receive a letter confirming how much they will receive. If no letter is received, residents who believe they are eligible can go to www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim . Claims deadline for winter 2025/6 is March 2026.
last updated 16 September 2025