One of the most talked-about announcements in Wednesday’s Budget was simple: a £100 payment to help with energy bills this winter for about 20 million households in England.
You don’t need to be on benefits, and it isn’t means-tested. What matters is your council tax band. Here’s who qualifies, when the money is due, and what you might need to do.
Who gets it
- Households in England whose home is in council tax band A, B, C or D
- About 20 million homes in total
- It doesn’t depend on your income, savings or whether you get benefits
Not sure of your band? It’s on your council tax bill, or you can look it up for free on GOV.UK’s “Check your Council Tax band” service.
How and when you’ll be paid
The money will be paid by local councils, according to MoneySavingExpert:
- Pay council tax by Direct Debit? You should get the £100 automatically into your bank account from January 2027.
- Pay another way (cash, card, standing order)? You’ll probably need to give your council your bank details. Councils will explain how. Don’t send details to anyone until your council’s official website tells you to.
The overall cost is about £2.6 billion. The government is also giving councils £100 million for targeted help to struggling households that don’t qualify, for example people in band E or above who are on low incomes.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The £100 payment itself is for England. The UK government says it’s giving extra funding to the Scottish and Welsh governments and Northern Ireland to run their own schemes, but they haven’t said yet how they’ll use it.
Still to be confirmed
- exact payment dates for people who don’t pay by Direct Debit
- how it works if your landlord pays the council tax, or your home is exempt
- whether people in band A to D homes who get a full council tax reduction still get it
Other energy changes in the Budget
- VAT relief on electricity extended to July 2027. The Chancellor says it keeps about £50 a year off the energy price cap.
- Gas standing charges scrapped from 2027 at the earliest. The cost moves into the price per unit. The Treasury says about 60% of households will save an average of £45 a year, but heavy gas users could pay more.
- Low-cost loans for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps are planned. Details are to follow.
Other winter help to check
The £100 is on top of other support you may already get:
- Winter Fuel Payment: up to £300 for pensioners, mostly paid automatically in November and December
- Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill if you get certain benefits
- Cold Weather Payment: £25 for each very cold week if you’re on certain benefits
Watch out for scams
Every time a payment like this is announced, fake texts and emails follow. Your council won’t text you a link asking for your card details to “claim your £100.” If you need to give bank details, go directly to your council’s official website, which ends in .gov.uk, or call the number on your council tax bill.
Sources: MoneySavingExpert (October 28, 2026), Beinsure and Stratford Observer.
Maria is a dedicated news writer covering the latest UK updates on DWP, PIP, State Pension Triple Lock, Child Benefit, Universal Credit, and driving licence regulations. She focuses on explaining government announcements, benefit eligibility, payment changes, pension increases, and new regulations in a clear and easy-to-understand way.