Keeping warm and well in winter
See our top tips on how to stay healthy in winter.
Winter is often an expensive time of year. If you're worrying more about money, you might be entitled to a bit of extra financial support, and a few simple changes could help save you money this winter.
Winter is a good time to check your finances and make sure you're receiving the benefits you’re entitled to. There are a number of financial help schemes that can help with your energy bills this winter.
This is an annual tax-free payment to help with heating costs. In winter 2025-26, a household is entitled to receive it if someone living there was born on or before 21 September 1959. You no longer need to be claiming Pension Credit or another means-tested benefit to qualify.
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payment.
If it's very cold where you live (at or below 0 degrees) for a period of time, and you're receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible to receive £25 a week for each 7-day period of cold weather.
Find out more about Cold Weather Payment.
This is a discount on your electricity bill. You may be able to get it if you get Pension Credit or are on a low income.
Find out more about Warm Home Discount.
These are one-off payments for households on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
Find out more about Cost of Living payments.
If you're receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you may be able to get a Budgeting Loan to help with unexpected expenses. If you’re receiving Universal Credit you may be able to get other financial support.
Do you know what benefits you're entitled to? Our online benefits calculator can help you quickly and easily find out what you could be claiming.
Some local Age UKs offer home energy checks through the Warm Homes programme. They'll send a trusted handyperson to your home, who'll make sure that your home is energy efficient. If necessary, they'll also provide some free equipment to help you save money on your bills.
It's cheaper and easier to heat your home if it's well-insulated and your heating works properly. Here are a couple of things you could do to get your home ready for winter:
The government is investing £12 billion in Help to Heat schemes to make sure homes are warmer and cheaper to heat.
Find out if your property is eligible for Help to Heat schemes on GOV.UK
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There's lots you can do around the home to save energy, keep the heat in and spend less on your bills.
It's more efficient to stick with a constant temperature and tweak it when you need to rather than turning the heating off and on again. For many people, usually around 18°C (64°F) is ideal. If there are rooms you don't use, like a spare bedroom, turn off the radiators in them and close the doors. Get to know your heating controls, such as thermostats and timers, so that you can heat your home without wasting energy.
It's a good idea to draw your curtains in the evenings to reduce heat loss through windows, and tuck long curtains behind radiators so that heat isn't trapped. And make sure warm air can circulate by keeping radiators and heaters clear – don't put furniture in front of them or dry washing on them.
When buying new appliances, choose energy-efficient ones. Many new appliances come with an energy rating – choose the best energy rating you can. You might also want to invest in some energy-saving or LED lightbulbs, because these use less energy than traditional bulbs.
Switch off appliances when they're not in use, rather than leaving them on standby. This saves energy, which can save you money on your energy bills.
But don't turn off your fridge or freezer because this could mean your food goes off sooner than it would otherwise.
Fixing a broken window, door or roof can make your home more comfortable and cheaper to heat.
In rented housing, your landlord is responsible for certain repairs, including structural repairs. If you own your home, you may be able to get help from your local council or a Home Improvement Agency.
Your local Age UK may also offer handyperson services to help you with repairs around the house.
We offer support through our free Advice Line. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs. You can contact us on 0800 678 1602.
We work with Wordskii to offer free interpreted calls. Visit the Wordskii website and select the language you would like to take the call in from the menu at the top right of the screen. This will tell you the best number to call.
See our top tips on how to stay healthy in winter.
See our tips on keeping your hands and feet warm this winter.
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