Online Earning Room: July 2026

Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Struggling With Energy Bills? Financial Help Available in 2026

Updated July 2026

Energy bills remain one of the biggest pressures on household finances, particularly for people on a low income, receiving benefits or living with illness or disability.

Energy price cap update

Ofgem says the energy price cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit is £1,862 a year from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

This is not a maximum total bill. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can apply to standard variable tariffs, so the amount you actually pay still depends on how much energy you use.

Ofgem is due to announce the cap covering October to December 2026 by 26 August 2026. Check the latest Ofgem price-cap figures before winter.

First, check whether you are overpaying

Grants can provide vital emergency assistance, but it is also worth checking whether your household contracts are costing more than they need to.

Let Nous check your household bills

Nous is a household-bills assistant that helps you keep track of contracts such as energy, broadband and mobile, looks for alternative deals and can help with switching.

Check your household bills with Nous

Nous is not a government grant or debt-advice charity. Savings are not guaranteed and depend on your existing providers, tariffs, usage and contract terms.

Before switching an energy tariff, compare the full annual cost, tariff length, customer-service arrangements and any exit fees. You can also read MoneyMagpie’s guide to saving money on everyday essentials.

Crisis and Resilience Fund in England

The Household Support Fund ended in England on 31 March 2026. It has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is administered by local councils.

The new fund is intended to help people who cannot afford essentials or who are facing a sudden financial shock. Depending on your council, help could include food, energy, water, essential household items, emergency living expenses, housing costs, debt advice or longer-term support.

You do not always need to be claiming benefits

Government guidance says the fund is aimed at vulnerable people and those who cannot pay for essentials. You do not necessarily need to receive benefits, and a payment from the fund should not affect your benefits.

Find your council and check local cost-of-living help.

Each council sets its own application process and local priorities. Contact your council even if you received help under the old Household Support Fund, as you may need to make a new application.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate welfare and emergency-support arrangements. Check your council or devolved-government website for local help.

Council Tax discounts and reductions

You could be paying too much Council Tax without realising it. Help may be available if:

You are the only adult counted for Council Tax, which usually gives a 25% discount.
You live with people who are disregarded, such as some full-time students, carers or apprentices.
Someone in the household has a severe mental impairment and meets the medical and benefit conditions.
You are on a low income and qualify for your council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Your home has qualifying facilities or extra space required by a disabled resident.

Severe mental impairment rules

A qualifying person may be disregarded when the council counts the adults in a home. A person who lives alone and meets the requirements may receive a full exemption. In a shared household, the reduction depends on who else lives there and whether they are also disregarded.

A disabled band reduction may allow a household to pay the rate for the band immediately below its current band. There is also a reduction for qualifying Band A homes. Simply having spare bedrooms is not enough; the space or facilities must be required by a disabled resident.

Apply for Council Tax Reduction through GOV.UK. Ask your council whether a discount can be backdated if you qualified earlier.

MoneyMagpie also explains other forms of financial help you may be able to claim.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 reduction on an eligible household’s electricity bill. It is a credit applied to the bill rather than a cash payment.

The 2025/26 scheme has closed. GOV.UK says it will reopen in October 2026.

England and Wales

Eligible households usually include people receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and qualifying low-income households receiving certain means-tested benefits. Many payments are identified automatically through government and supplier records, although some households may be asked to confirm details.

Scotland

People receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit are normally identified automatically. Other low-income customers may need to apply directly to a participating supplier, so it is worth contacting your supplier promptly when applications open.

The scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland. Always check the current rules and participating suppliers on the official Warm Home Discount page.

If you use a prepayment meter, your supplier should explain how to redeem or apply the discount. Keep any letter or voucher safe and check its expiry date.

Winter Fuel Payment

For winter 2026/27, people born before 28 June 1960 may be eligible for between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The amount depends on your age and household circumstances during the qualifying week, which is 21 to 27 September 2026. Most eligible people should receive a letter in October or November and be paid automatically in November or December.

The £35,000 income rule

If your individual total income is above £35,000, HMRC can recover the Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system. Eligible people who expect to exceed the threshold can choose to opt out by the relevant deadline.

Claims for winter 2026/27 open on 21 September 2026 for people who need to apply. Check the official Winter Fuel Payment guidance.

What about Scotland?

People living in Scotland may qualify for the separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Check mygov.scot for current amounts, dates and eligibility.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments help eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during periods of exceptionally cold weather.

Under the scheme, an eligible person receives £25 for each seven-day period when the average temperature in their area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below. The 2026/27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

You may qualify if you receive certain benefits, including Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Extra conditions can apply.

Payments should be automatic. See the Cold Weather Payment guidance for England and Wales or Northern Ireland guidance.

Scotland uses a separate Winter Heating Payment, which is not triggered by a particular spell of cold weather.

Emergency fuel vouchers

If you cannot afford to top up a prepayment meter, you may be able to obtain an emergency fuel voucher through your council, Citizens Advice, a food bank, a housing association, an energy-support charity or another local welfare organisation.

A code may be sent by text, email or letter and redeemed at a participating PayPoint, Payzone or Post Office outlet. You may need identification and proof of address.

Check the expiry date immediately

Some fuel vouchers must be used within a short period. If you are nearly out of credit, contact your supplier straight away and ask about emergency or additional credit. Ask how and when any credit will be repaid before accepting it.

Energy debt grants and hardship funds

Some suppliers and charitable trusts offer grants or other assistance to households that have fallen behind with gas or electricity bills. Funds and eligibility rules can change, but possible sources include:

Some funds require you to be a customer of the named supplier. You may be asked to complete an income-and-expenditure assessment, get debt advice or show that you can afford your ongoing usage once the arrears are cleared.

Ask your supplier for all available options

An affordable repayment plan
A temporary payment reduction or payment break
A review of your Direct Debit
A hardship grant or trust-fund application
Emergency credit or a fuel voucher
Energy-efficiency support

Never agree to repayments that leave you without enough for food, rent, Council Tax or other essentials.

Stop household contracts quietly becoming more expensive

Nous can help track bills and renewal dates, research alternatives and assist with switching eligible household services.

Ask Nous to check your bills

Review any proposed switch carefully, including the total cost, tariff length, exit fees and service terms.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is free and provides extra support for people who may need help from their energy supplier or electricity network operator.

You may qualify because of age, disability, long-term illness, pregnancy, a child under five, communication needs, mental-health needs, temporary medical circumstances or reliance on electrically powered medical equipment.

Support may include accessible bills, meter-reading assistance, notice of planned interruptions and extra help during a power cut.

You may need to register separately with your supplier and local network operator. Learn more from Ofgem’s Priority Services Register guidance.

Help improving your home

Depending on your location, income, benefits and property, you may qualify for insulation, heating improvements or other energy-efficiency measures.

Funding can include supplier obligations, local-authority schemes and devolved-government programmes. Check the current government energy-efficiency guidance.

In Northern Ireland, check NI Direct’s energy-saving grants information.

Beware of “free boiler” and insulation scams

Do not rely on an unsolicited caller’s claim that everyone qualifies. Check the scheme, installer and funding independently before sharing personal information or signing an agreement.

Get a benefits check

A benefits calculator or adviser could identify entitlement to Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, housing support or local welfare assistance.

Free checks are available from:

MoneyMagpie’s guide to disability benefits and entitlements may also help.

Do not wait until your energy is disconnected

Contact your supplier as soon as you realise you cannot pay. Explain your finances, health needs and whether children or vulnerable people live in the property.

Get free debt advice if you are borrowing to pay energy bills or missing other essential payments:

MoneyMagpie also has guidance on where to get help with Universal Credit problems

Frequently asked questions

Is the energy price cap the maximum I can be charged?

No. It limits unit rates and standing charges on covered tariffs, not the total amount of energy a household can use. A household that uses more energy can pay more than the typical annual figure.

Does the Household Support Fund still exist in 2026?

It ended in England on 31 March 2026 and was replaced by the locally administered Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026.

How much is the Warm Home Discount?

It is a one-off £150 credit on an eligible household’s electricity bill. The scheme is due to reopen in October 2026.

How much is the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026/27?

Eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may receive between £100 and £300. The amount depends on age and household circumstances.

Can my energy supplier help if I am already in debt?

Potentially. Ask about an affordable repayment plan, Direct Debit review, hardship grants, emergency credit and any other support available for customers in payment difficulty.

Useful MoneyMagpie reading

The post Struggling With Energy Bills? Financial Help Available in 2026 appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Labels: News

Monday, 6 July 2026

Thousands of Pounds Are Available to Help Businesses Hire Young Staff – But Many Employers Don’t Know They Can Claim It

With recruitment costs climbing and skills shortages continuing across the UK, many employers are overlooking a simple way to cut hiring costs.

Across the country, government-backed grants, apprenticeship funding and local recruitment incentives are helping businesses take on young workers, often worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds per employee.

The catch?

Many of the schemes are run locally, have limited budgets and disappear once funding has been allocated.

For businesses planning to recruit, it could pay to check what’s available before advertising a vacancy.

Where Businesses Can Actually Find Funding

While there isn’t a single UK-wide “youth hiring grant”, there are several programmes that can significantly reduce the cost of recruiting young workers.

1. Apprenticeship funding

Businesses taking on an apprentice can receive government support towards apprenticeship training. Smaller employers can often have most of the training costs covered, while larger employers may be able to use Apprenticeship Levy funds.

Find out how to employ an apprentice

Check apprenticeship funding rules

2. Local authority employment grants

Many councils and combined authorities run employer incentive schemes to encourage businesses to recruit local young people, apprentices or those who have been out of work.

Support may include recruitment grants, wage subsidies, training contributions, free recruitment support and mentoring programmes.

Find your local council

Find your nearest Growth Hub

3. Jobcentre Plus employer support

Jobcentre Plus can help employers connect with suitable candidates, advertise roles and access local recruitment support.

It can also support employers interested in offering work experience to people looking to build confidence and practical skills.

See Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters

Read the work experience employer guide

4. Skills Bootcamps

Employers struggling to recruit in sectors such as digital, construction, engineering and logistics can work with Skills Bootcamps to find candidates who have completed industry-focused training.

Businesses may also be able to help shape training so candidates develop the skills employers actually need.

Find out more about Skills Bootcamps

5. Disability Confident and supported internships

Businesses looking to build a more diverse workforce can also access support through the Disability Confident scheme and supported internship routes.

These can help employers recruit talented young people with disabilities, health conditions or additional needs.

Learn about Disability Confident

Why Businesses Are Missing Out

While most employers know about apprenticeships, far fewer realise there are dozens of regional programmes designed to encourage businesses to recruit younger workers.

Depending on where your business is based, support could include:

Cash grants towards recruitment
Help covering training costs
Funding for apprenticeships
Wage subsidies
Free recruitment support
Mentoring and onboarding assistance

Some programmes are specifically designed for small businesses that may otherwise struggle to afford taking on additional staff.

Hiring Young People Can Cost Less Than You Think

With wages and National Insurance remaining major expenses for employers, every saving matters.

Many businesses discover that combining apprenticeship funding with local grants significantly reduces the overall cost of hiring while helping them build a skilled workforce for the future.

In sectors such as hospitality, construction, engineering, health and social care, digital technology and manufacturing, employers are increasingly using these schemes to fill vacancies that have proved difficult to recruit for.

How to Find the Best Young Talent

Many employers automatically advertise on job boards, but some of the strongest candidates can be found elsewhere.

Try contacting:

Local further education colleges
Universities and careers services
Apprenticeship training providers
Jobcentre Plus
Industry training bodies
Chambers of Commerce
Local business networks

Many of these organisations will advertise vacancies free of charge or introduce employers to suitable candidates.

The Smartest Employers Are Looking Beyond CVs

Financial support is only part of the opportunity.

Many employers are finding that recruiting younger workers brings fresh ideas, digital skills and long-term loyalty that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

Rather than focusing on experience alone, successful businesses are increasingly hiring for attitude and potential before providing structured training.

Colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and Jobcentre Plus can all help businesses find candidates who are ready to start work, often at no cost.

Before You Spend Money Recruiting…

Before You Advertise a Vacancy…

If you’re planning to recruit, it’s worth checking what financial support is available first.

A quick search of your local council website or Growth Hub could reveal grants, wage support or recruitment initiatives that save your business hundreds — or even thousands — of pounds.

Because many programmes have limited funding and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, employers who check early are often in the best position to benefit.

As recruitment pressures continue, these little-known incentives could make the difference between delaying a hire and bringing the right person into the business.

Useful Resources

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The post Thousands of Pounds Are Available to Help Businesses Hire Young Staff – But Many Employers Don’t Know They Can Claim It appeared first on MoneyMagpie.