There are practical ways you can improve your energy efficiency to help reduce your heating costs. Residents may also be entitled to help with utility bills:
Help with fuel and energy bills
There are a range of grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.
Information and support is available from:
- Help with your energy bills
- Help for Households
- Money Helper - Help with cost of living
- Energy Saving Trust
- Live Well York - Talk Money
Home Energy Efficiency
The Home Energy Efficiency Team are passionate about helping you to save energy, money and carbon. We want to make sure that you feel warm and healthy in your own home all-year-round. Find out more about the different Home Energy Efficiency Schemes we have available.
Check you're on the cheapest tariff
You should check with your gas and electricity supplier to make sure you're on the cheapest tariff available for you. Some suppliers have tariff's for people on a low income.
Contact your energy supplier to make sure you're on the cheapest tariff available and see how much you can save.
Grants and services from energy suppliers
Many energy companies offer schemes or grants to help with home heating and energy costs. Some are open to anyone - you don’t need to be a customer.
Contact your supplier to find out what they offer.
Citizens Advice lists grants some larger suppliers offer.
Ask about being put on your supplier’s Priority Services Register. This is a free energy support service if you are vulnerable.
York Crisis and Resilience Fund Crisis Payments
York Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Crisis Payments support residents experiencing a financial shock, who need urgent financial assistance and not have enough income or savings to meet the eligible costs the scheme can help with.
Crisis payments can be considered for:
- essential costs to alleviate a crisis and improve individuals financial resilience
- food and hygeine products
- energy bills, including electricity, gas and oil
- water bills, including sewerage
- council tax arrears
- internet connection
- essential household items, such as cooker, washing machine, bed
- essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle, or paying for fuel
- some exceptional housing costs
Find out more about the CRF Crisis Payments and apply online.
York Food and Fuel Voucher Scheme
If you're struggling to pay your bills you may be able to get a fuel voucher. Fuel vouchers are a contribution towards household gas, electricity and oil costs.
Food and fuel vouchers are available to York residents as part of advice and support services and where people have immediate need.
Services will discuss the best options for people depending on their circumstances. This may be an appointment or referral to another service. Advice and support will include where appropriate a benefits check, completing budgeting sheet and looking at the range of support for that person and their family.
Applications to our York Food and Fuel Voucher Scheme are considered as part of the advice and support services; and people will need to provide confirmation of their circumstances.
See details of advice and support services in York.
If people need assistance with energy bills, but do not want to contact a support service, or this is not appropriate, other support is available from:
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help you cover your heating costs over the winter months.
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment for households that include someone born on or before 21 September 1959 (for 2025-26).
Am I eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?
- You are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26 if:
- you were born on or before 21 September 1959
- you are living in England or Wales for the qualifying week.
The qualifying week is the week beginning from the third Monday in September. This is 15 to 21 September in 2025.
If your income is more than £35,000
If you have over £35,000 of taxable (gross) income per year, HMRC will take back all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
How much you'll get
You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.
If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.
Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
For more information please see Winter Fuel Payment webpage.
Cold Weather Payment
If you receive Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you're automatically paid a Cold Weather Payment when the temperature reaches 0°C (32°F) or below, for 7 days in a row. You’ll get a payment of £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Tell your Pension Centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but haven’t.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that offers a £140 discount off your energy bill.
You can qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
Find out more about the Warm Home Discount scheme (GOV.UK).
Help with water bills
Contact Yorkshire Water for support to make your bills more affordable; they can provide payment plans, capped charges and tailored arrangements if you’re struggling to pay.
You can also get information on saving water in your home, including free products to help save water.
We're working in partnership with Yorkshire Water to make sure eligible residents don’t miss out on support that could reduce their water bills.
If you’re a Yorkshire Water customer with a water meter, and receiving income-based benefits such as Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may qualify for their WaterSure scheme, which could lower your water charges depending on your usage.
Help with broadband and landline bills
Comparing and switching broadband and landline providers can reduce the cost of these bills. See guidance on the MoneyHelper website for how to save on landline and broadband bills.
Some providers offer social tariffs which are only available to customers who receive certain government benefits.
If you're claiming benefits and looking for work, talk to your Job Coach about help for job seekers to get online from the Department of Work and Pensions.
You can also find help with your internet connection and data sim cards online.
Benefits Calculator
Use our benefits calculator to make sure you are not missing out on any financial support.