How To news
How do I switch energy supplier, and what happens if the new one goes bust? Has the Warm Home Discount changed, or the rules on smart meter readings and prepayment credit? Which fixes, tariffs and grants are worth it now?
Every how to story we have reported, newest first: switching, meters, bills, grants and complaints. Each one links to our guides on what it means for you.
- November 2026
Winter Fuel Payments of between £150 and £400 pay out from November 2026
Winter Fuel Payments of between £150 and £400 reach state pensioners from November 2026, while a new £100 Household Energy Payment for homes in Council Tax bands A to D in England follows from January.
- October 2026
Smart Energy GB research reveals energy support scams targeting households
Smart Energy GB research found 83 per cent of Brits received a scam text, email or call this year, with fraudsters exploiting the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount.
DWP sends Winter Fuel Payment letters ahead of winter 2026 to 2027
The Department for Work and Pensions is sending Winter Fuel Payment entitlement letters in October or November, with most payments due in November or December 2026.
Hackney urges residents to apply for Warm Homes Local Grant
Hackney Council has announced that more than 3,000 households in the borough will receive letters from the Greater London Authority urging them to apply for the Warm Homes Local Grant.
- September 2026
Winter Fuel Payment claims open for winter 2026/27
Claims for the winter 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 31 March 2027, with most eligible households paid automatically in November or December.
- August 2026
Deadline for eligible households to be named on energy bill for automatic Warm Home Discount
Households on means-tested benefits must be named on their electricity bill by 23 August 2026, the date suppliers will use to award the £150 Warm Home Discount automatically this winter.
Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales published for 2026 to 2027 scheme year
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year.
- March 2026
Current warm home discount regulations expire
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount expire on 31 March 2026, with a 2025 instrument extending the period for issuing rebate notices and widening eligibility for winter 2025-26.
FAQ page on switching, tariffs and bills updated
Smart Energy GB has updated its consumer FAQ page on switching supplier, tariffs and bills, restating that smart meter owners can switch in the same way as anyone with a traditional meter.
Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 closes
The Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 has closed, with details of future schemes stated as becoming available later in 2026.
- February 2026
Energy Ombudsman warns of increase in scam emails impersonating it and suppliers
The Energy Ombudsman has published guidance on a rise in fraudulent emails that impersonate it and some suppliers, telling recipients a complaint has been reviewed and pressing them to complete forms.
- January 2026
Warm Home Discount expanded to more people on means-tested benefits this year
The Warm Home Discount has expanded this year to include more people on certain means-tested benefits, the consumer body Which? has reported, setting out the £150 payment and other winter support.
- November 2025
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for 2025-26 winter
The Warm Home Discount has opened for winter 2025-26, giving eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland a one-off £150 reduction on their energy bill.
- October 2025
Uswitch updated its 104 energy saving tips guide
Uswitch updated its guide of more than 100 energy saving tips for the home on 14 October 2025, arranged by room and carrying annual saving figures for each measure.
British Gas Energy Support Fund reopens on day of 2% price cap rise
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its largest energy debt fund, offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas customers, on the day energy bills rose by 2%.
- September 2025
Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2025 to 2026 opens
The Warm Home Discount for winter 2025 to 2026 opens in October 2025, with eligibility criteria for England and Wales published by the government on 30 September 2025.
- August 2025
Government issues reminder to Warm Home Discount eligible households
The government has told households eligible for the Warm Home Discount to check the right person is named on their electricity account by Sunday 24 August to receive £150 automatically.
SGN urges households to test CO alarms after data shows 95% untested in 2024
SGN has published data showing 95% of carbon monoxide alarms went untested in 2024 and urged households to test alarms monthly and take them on trips.
- July 2025
Plymouth energy advice hub opens
Wales & West Utilities has listed the opening of a Plymouth energy advice hub among projects funded through its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance programme.
Which? warns of fake DWP energy support scam texts
Which? has warned that scammers impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions are texting householders fake energy grant offers of £200 to £300, with links to malicious websites.
- June 2025
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed for winter 2025/26
The Government confirmed on 19 June 2025 that the Warm Home Discount would be expanded for winter 2025/26, removing the high-cost-to-heat test so that any household on a qualifying means-tested benefit is eligible.
- March 2025
Deadline for claiming Winter Fuel Payment not paid automatically
The Department for Work and Pensions says eligible pensioners whose Winter Fuel Payment does not arrive automatically must claim it by 31 March 2025, after a winter of backdated claims.
- January 2025
Trust highlights open energy debt grant funds for winter
The British Gas Energy Trust has highlighted two open energy debt funds offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas and non-British Gas customers in England, Scotland and Wales this winter.
- December 2024
Deadline for pension credit applications to be backdated for this year's Winter Fuel Payment
Pension credit claims must be submitted by 21 December 2024 to be backdated, the route by which households not already on means-tested benefits can still qualify for this winter's Winter Fuel Payment.
- November 2024
British Gas Energy Trust reopens Energy Support Fund for winter applications
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Energy Support Fund for winter, offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas customers in England, Scotland and Wales who are behind on their bills.
- September 2024
Winter Fuel Payment qualifying period closes amid Pension Credit processing delays
The Winter Fuel Payment qualifying period closes on 16 September 2024, while the Pension Credit helpline warns that new claims may take nine weeks to process.
Individuals and Families Fund reopens with grants up to £1,700
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, offering energy debt grants of up to £1,700 to British Gas and non-British Gas customers with credit or pre-payment meter arrears.
- July 2024
Which? investigation finds EPCs inaccurate and calls for reform
Which? has published an investigation finding that most sampled Energy Performance Certificates were inaccurate or carried unhelpful recommendations, and is calling on the government to reform the system.
- April 2024
Invoice schedule template and agent information added
HMRC has added a schedule of invoices template and guidance on using an agent to its DIY housebuilders VAT refund guidance, and added invoice date of issue to the list of required details.
- March 2024
E.ON Next electricity prepayment emergency credit increased from £5 to £10
E.ON Next has raised emergency credit on most electricity prepayment meters from £5 to £10, with the increase still being rolled out and customers told by letter or email.