Financial support for this winter

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.

You can find information on benefits on GOV.UK. GOV.UK also has cost of living support and advice.

For support and advice, you can also visit the Citizens Advice West Berkshire website or call 0808 2787994 / 01635 516605.

The Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is a one-off payment West Berkshire residents 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

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, visit the Heat the Home Counties website.

Winter Fuel Payments

If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could get either £100 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills this winter 2025 to 2026.

Find information on Winter Fuel Payments on GOV.UK.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £150 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you, it is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2025 and 31 March 2026.

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'

Find information about warm home discount on GOV.UK.

Tax Relief for working at home

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.

Find information on tax relief on GOV.UK.

Cold Weather Payment

If you're receiving certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, you may automatically get a Cold Weather Payment when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row.

You don't need to apply - payments are made automatically if you're eligible. If you think you should have received a payment but haven't, contact your Pension Centre or Jobcentre Plus. Find full details and eligibility for cold weather payment on GOV.UK.

Help with NHS costs

You may be eligible for free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and other health costs. This depends on factors such as your age, income, benefits, pregnancy or medical conditions. Find full details of NHS costs on GOV.UK.

Healthcare travel costs scheme

If you're referred for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests, you might be able to claim back reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Find out more about the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) on the NHS website.