Support coping with rising living costs

Energy and Utility Bills

If you’re struggling with rising energy costs you’re not alone.

Support is available and this page outlines how you can find help paying your bills, accessing benefits or discounts, improving energy efficiency and staying warm this winter.

On this page:

Urgent help with paying your energy bills
Benefits and discounts to reduce energy costs
Advice on energy bills and efficiency
Extra help from energy suppliers
Staying warm this winter
Cheaper broadband and phone packages
Help with paying your TV Licence

Urgent help with your energy bills

If you cannot afford to top up your prepayment meter, the following support is available:

Emergency or friendly hours credit
a fuel voucher - contact Penicuik CAB or Dalkeith CAB to find out more
Energy grant

If you cannot afford to pay your energy bills, contact your energy supplier to check what support is available:

Support from energy suppliers

If you need urgent help with food, housing or money please go to our Urgent Help page for more information.

Benefits and discounts to help reduce energy bills

Heating Benefits

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - Annual payment to help pensioners in Scotland with heating costs. Amount varies based on eligibility.

Child Winter Heating Payment - Support for families with a child receiving the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children.

Winter Heating Payment - Annual payment for people on low-income benefits who might need extra help with heating during the winter.

Electricity Bill Discount

Warm Home Discount - A one-off payment towards winter electricity bills, available through your energy provider.

Advice on Energy Bills and Efficiency

Changeworks

Offers advice on reducing energy bills and improving home energy efficiency.

Call 0800 870 8800 or visit their financial supports pages.

Home Energy Scotland

Helps you find the best energy deals and support to make your home warmer.

Use the Home Energy Check tool or call 0808 808 2282 (free) for more information.

Extra help from your energy supplier

You may be eligible for your energy supplier’s Priority Services Register, which offers:

priority support in an emergency
wherever possible, advanced notice of scheduled power cuts
A nominated person to manage your account
Help moving a prepayment meter if it’s hard to access
Bills in large print or braille
Assistance with gas reconnection, if required

Staying warm this winter

Winter support pack

Created by Outside the Box, this pack includes tips on keeping warm and saving on food and energy bills.

Warm spaces in Midlothian

Warm spaces are available across Midlothian, including Warm & Well Hubs at Danderhall, Lasswade, Loanhead and Newbattle Libraries (free soup with bread/roll plus a hot drink available from October to June).