Financial Support for this Winter

Get financial support
The Household Support Fund
Heat The Home Counties
Winter Fuel Payment
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Tax Relief
West Berkshire-Collective Energy Switch
Cold Weather Payment

Get financial support

There are grants, benefits and sources of advice to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It's worthwhile claiming all the benefits you are entitled to before winter sets in, terms and conditions apply.

For anyone struggling during these challenging times we are here to help. We have collaborated with Greenham Trust and the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, to create the Cost of Living Support Hub - a place where everyone in West Berkshire can go to for advice on financial support, help with food costs, money saving tips and help with benefits.

No matter how big or small your query, residents or businesses please feel free to get in touch to see what help is available.

We recommend you make initial contact using the online form. You can also call on 01635 503333.

For support and advice you can also visit Citizens Advice West Berkshire website or call freephone 0808 2787994.

The Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is a one-off payment for individuals or families living in West Berkshire who are experiencing hardship. You do not need to be receiving other benefits to apply and the scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Household Support Fund is there to support those most in need with household costs such as energy bills, food, clothing and housing costs in exceptional circumstances. Click here for more information or to apply for the fund.

Heat The Home Counties

In West Berkshire you may be eligible for a grant to support with improving the heating and energy efficiency of your home. The grant is means-tested and the application will be considered based on household income, receipt of benefits and energy costs.

For more information click here or call: 01344 888 930.

Winter Fuel Payments

If you were born on or before 25th September 1956 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.

You usually get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you are eligible and you get the State Pension or another social security benefit.

Visit the gov.uk page to find out more or call: 0800 731 0160.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you, it is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March.

You may qualify for the government's Warm Home Discount Scheme if you:

get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, known as the 'core group'
you're on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme, known as the 'broader group'

For more info please visit or call: 0800 731 0214.

Tax Relief

You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home on a regular basis, either for all or part of the week. Please note you may not be able to claim this if you have previously claimed due to COVID-19.

For more info click here.

West Berkshire-Collective Energy Switch

As a West Berkshire resident, you can participate in an energy saving switching incentive known as the West Berkshire - Collective Energy Switch. This is a scheme the Council runs in partnership with iChoosr's Big Community Switch. Collective switching allows people to be grouped into a bulk switch ensuring they are successfully switching their energy suppliers and paying less for their energy bills.

More information can be found here

Cold Weather Payment

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. You do not need to apply. If you're eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you'll be
paid it automatically. You'll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not. For more information please click here.