Full list of winter energy bill help worth up to £5,710 starting in weeks as fuel payment axed for 10million

THOUSANDS of households should be aware of winter energy bill support worth £5,710 which will be available to claim in weeks.

It comes as many families are concerned about their finances ahead of the colder months after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made changes to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Now only those on Pension Credit, or other means-tested benefits, will qualify for the £300 energy bill help starting this year.

The controversial decision, which has left some 10million homes without the cash boost, is set to be voted on in Parliament tomorrow, September 10.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to face backlash from his peers, with 50 Labour MPs reportedly gearing up to vote against the move,

A number of charities have also urged officials to do a U-turn on the decision.

Age UK previously said: "Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment, with no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice, and one that will potentially jeopardise the health as well as the finances of millions of older people this winter."

However, the freshly appointed PM has doubled down on the decision, telling the BBC over the weekend the Government was "going to have to be unpopular".

Labour has maintained the cuts are necessary to help improve the country's finances.

If you fear you may struggle to afford your energy costs this winter you should note some of the other financial help available.

The Sun has rounded up all the energy bill help worth £5,710 that you could be eligible to claim.

Warm home discount - £150

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.

If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.

Applications for the scheme open in October, however, you may not get the help until next March.

To qualify you'll usually need to be actively claiming one of a number of means-tested benefits during the qualifying week - which is usually in August.

However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date and once it's confirmed.

If you qualify for the WHD, you should receive a letter telling you. These are usually sent between October and January.

Household Support Fund (HSF) - up to £500

Struggling households can apply for support via the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The scheme, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, was first launched in 2021.

It was extended for the sixth time earlier this month, giving thousands of families a chance to get the extra support.

The current round of funding is due to end on September 30, but applications may still be accepted by some local authorities.

Each area will then open up the scheme again in October, with the new funding in place until April 2025. 

In many areas, applications can be made under both the current scheme and future rounds.

However, what you're able to access depends on whereabouts you live, and the money will either be given to you as a direct cash transfer, shopping vouchers or in another form.

To find out what you may be eligible for, visit your local council's website.

If you're unsure of the name of your council, find out using the Government's  tool.

Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the amount handed out varies across the country.

But in the past, some families have had up to £500 help.

Energy grants - £100s

Many of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers have grants in place to help support struggling customers. 

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

The country’s biggest supplier British Gas previously had an energy grant scheme in place, with the hardest-pressed households receiving a grant of up to £2,000.

The firm also has also launched a debt reduction scheme called ‘You Pay: We Pay’.

Struggling customers will also be able to get part of their debts wiped via what's known as debt matching.

For instance, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100, too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting them back on track sooner.

The £15million "You Pay: We Pay" scheme opened in June and eligible customers have been contacted directly.

Elsewhere, fellow supplier EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers' bills. 

It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship. 

To apply you must visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.