How to access supplier and government help with energy bills - Wales

The energy price cap

Government support

• Council Tax Support

• Discretionary Assistance Fund

• Fuel Voucher Scheme

Energy discounts and payments

• Winter Fuel Payment

• Warm Home Discount Scheme

• Cold Weather Payment

The energy price cap is set by Ofgem, Great Britain's energy regulator. The price cap limits the maximum amount of energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy you use. It applies to standard and default tariffs and is reviewed and updated every three months.

Based on the capped prices below, the average 2-3 bedroom house paying by direct debit should spend £1,641 a year on gas and electricity. However, if you use more energy than the average household you could end up spending more than that per year.

To find out exactly what you are being charged you should contact your energy supplier.

For more information on the price cap, see our guide to the price cap, or Ofgem's website. 

Below is the current energy price cap (Apr-Jun 2026).

*Standing charges are designed to cover the cost of supplying your property with energy. They are usually a fixed, daily amount which doesn’t vary.

What does this mean for me?

If you have a smart meter:

Nothing, your smart meter automatically sends meter readings, so you don't have to worry about getting charged the wrong amount for your energy.

If you don't have a smart meter:

You should send a meter reading to your supplier on the day of, or the day before, the price cap changes. This way, you’re certain they charge you the right amount for your energy usage.

Smart meter owners don’t need to do this because readings are sent automatically.

Council Tax Support

Householders on a low income may be able to get support to pay their Council Tax. This is arranged by local authorities.

You could be eligible if you’re on a low income, claim benefits or live alone. What you get depends on where you live - each council runs its own scheme - your household circumstances and income, as well as who lives with you.

To find out what’s available in your area, contact your local council.

Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund

If you are in extreme financial hardship, or in a crisis situation and in need of immediate financial support you can apply for an Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) from the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund.

You must have applied for benefits and be waiting for your first payment, and have no other means of financial support.

You can use this to pay for emergency costs, such as gas or electricity or other essentials. You do not have to pay this money back, but you cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills that you cannot afford to pay.

As of March 2026, households using heating oil can apply for support through the Discretionary Assistance Fund. This includes a temporary uplift up to £750 per household, up from £500 per household, while prices are inflated.

Payments will be available twice in 12 months, with a minimum three months apart. More information can be found at: gov.wales/extra-help-heating-oil-deal-risingcosts If you are in a low income household, you may be eligible for a £100 winter payment.

To find out more and apply visit: gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf or call 0800 859 5924
(10.00am–4.00pm Monday to Friday).

Fuel Voucher Scheme

If you prepay for your energy but are in a financial crisis, you may be able to get a Fuel Voucher. These can be used to prepay for gas or electricity, or to buy heating oil or LPG. The vouchers are distributed by the Fuel Bank Foundation, working in partnership with the Welsh Government.

Contact Advicelink Cymru on 0800 702 2020 to find out more.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment provides extra support for older people to pay for heating in the winter. If you were born before 23rd September 1958, and you or your partner get certain benefits, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. Most eligible people are paid in November or December.

For help, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Find out more about the Winter Fuel Payment.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount scheme provides support with heating costs in winter for those who need it most. The money is not paid to you directly. It is a one-off discount on your heating bill, paid automatically for those who were eligible.

If you use a prepay meter, you can still qualify for the discount, but you will get it in different ways. For example, you might get a voucher you can use to top up. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible.

The scheme will reopen in October 2024 for this winter. Further details will be made available on the government's Warm Home Discount page.

Cold Weather Payment

If you get:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may also get a Cold Weather Payment when the average temperature in your area is freezing (zero degrees Celsius) for seven days in a row.

The scheme will run between 1st November 2024 and 31st of March 2025.

Further details will be made available on the government's Cold Weather Payment page.