Cold homes waste energy, waste money and can harm the health of their occupants. To help you improve your finances, maintain your home and avoid health issues, there are a number of schemes available:
Cost of Living Support
The Government’s Cost of Living Hub (external link) pulls together a range of available support including:
- Income and disability benefits
- Bills and allowances
- Childcare
- Housing
- Travel.
An eligibility tool (external link) is included, so you can quickly check what benefits and financial support you may be entitled to.
Energy Saving Trust
Visit The Energy Saving Trust (external link) for general tips and advice on how to save money on your fuel bills.
Here for You
Our Here for You pages are here to help, signposting you to services, organisations and resources that can support with things like working out your eligibility to benefits, borrowing wisely, keeping warm and keeping well.
Access welfare support
Wigan Council’s Household Support Fund is designed to support households in the most need with food, energy, water bills and with other wider essential costs. The available support includes payments and vouchers towards food, and help with energy costs. The current scheme runs from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026 inclusive.
Support maintaining your home
The Handyperson Service (external link) provided by Age UK Wigan Borough can help with small jobs around your home (at a competitive price), from fitting key safes and grab rails to fitting light bulbs.
Struggling to find a local contractor to carry out more extensive repairs in your home? Access the Council’s Good Trader Scheme (external link) for a list of reliable, reputable traders you can trust.
AWARM
AWARM is our fuel poverty service, providing advice and access to available energy and heating upgrades for those who need it most.
Visit our AWARM page for full details of the service, our eligibility criteria, and how to refer in.
Partner schemes to help you reduce your fuel bill
Schemes
| Fuel Priority Register |
All energy suppliers are obligated to keep a Fuel Priority Register for elderly or disabled customers. You can contact your supplier and ask to be put on this register. Free services include:
Free annual gas safety checks
Bills in different formats e.g. large print and Braille
Quarterly meter reading services
Priority in an emergency.
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| Winter Fuel Payment |
If you were born before 22nd September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.
For more information please visit Winter Fuel Payment (external link).
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| Cold Weather Payment |
If you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, the Cold Weather Payment may help you.
Payments are made when your local temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.
For more information please visit Cold Weather Payment (external link).
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