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£100 Energy Payment Confirmed for 20 Million Households – Are You Eligible?
Vicky Parry
28th Oct 2026
Millions of households are set to receive £100 towards their energy costs this winter following a major announcement in the Autumn Budget 2026. But who will get the money, when will it arrive and do you need to apply?
With energy bills putting pressure on household budgets as temperatures drop, Chancellor John Healey has announced a new £100 energy payment for around 20 million households.
The support was confirmed in the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026 and is aimed at homes in council tax bands A to D.
For families already worrying about how much it will cost to keep the heating on this winter, an extra £100 could provide some welcome breathing space. However, there are still important questions about exactly how the scheme will work.
£100 energy payment: At a glance
- How much? £100 per qualifying household.
- Who? Around 20 million households.
- Eligibility: Council tax bands A, B, C and D.
- When? Intended to help with winter energy costs; the exact payment timetable awaits confirmation.
- Do you need to apply? Full instructions have not yet been published.
Who qualifies for the £100 energy payment?
The Government has announced that households in council tax bands A to D will qualify for the new £100 energy payment, subject to the final scheme rules.
Unlike some existing energy support schemes, which are linked to benefits or household income, this announcement is based on council tax bands.
That means households who might not normally qualify for means-tested help could potentially receive the money.
| Council tax band | Announced eligibility |
|---|---|
| A | Included |
| B | Included |
| C | Included |
| D | Included |
| E and above | Outside the announced A–D criteria |
The Government still needs to clarify how the payment will work across the different council tax systems in the UK, including arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Check your council tax band now
Not sure whether you qualify? Your council tax band is printed on your annual council tax bill.
You can also check your band online using the official Government service for England and Wales.
Check your council tax band on GOV.UK
Scottish households can check through the Scottish Assessors Association.
When will the £100 energy payment be paid?
The payment has been announced as part of the Government’s efforts to help households manage energy costs over the winter.
However, the exact date when eligible households will receive their £100 has not yet been confirmed.
Further guidance is expected to explain the payment timetable and how the money will be distributed.
Will you need to apply for the £100?
One of the biggest questions following the announcement is whether eligible households will receive the payment automatically.
Although the Government has confirmed the new support, the full administrative process has not yet been published.
For now, households should wait for official guidance rather than registering through unfamiliar websites or links.
Warning: Beware of £100 energy payment scams
Fraudsters frequently use Government payment announcements to send fake emails and text messages asking people to provide personal or banking information.
Do not click on unexpected links claiming you must register immediately for the £100 energy payment.
Check official Government guidance before providing any information.
Will pensioners get the £100 payment?
Pensioners living in qualifying council tax bands may be eligible for the new payment, although the Government has yet to publish the full rules for different household circumstances.
The £100 payment is separate from the Winter Fuel Payment, which helps eligible older people with heating costs.
It is also separate from the Warm Home Discount, which provides support to qualifying households with their electricity bills.
Can you get the £100 alongside other energy help?
The new payment is a separate Budget measure, rather than simply a replacement for existing support.
However, until the detailed rules are published, households should not assume how it will interact with every other Government scheme.
Other energy support worth checking
If you are struggling with your energy bills, there may be additional help available.
- Warm Home Discount: Support with electricity costs for eligible households.
- Winter Fuel Payment: Help with winter heating costs for qualifying older people.
- Energy supplier hardship funds: Some suppliers offer grants or other help for customers struggling to pay.
- Payment arrangements: Your supplier may be able to agree an affordable repayment plan.
Will £100 really make a difference to energy bills?
For many households, the answer will be yes, although the payment is unlikely to remove the wider pressure of rising energy costs.
Unlike a permanent cut in energy prices, a one-off £100 payment provides a limited amount of support during a particular period.
There are other changes to energy costs in the Autumn Budget, including the removal of gas standing charges and changes to levies on electricity bills. The overall effect will depend on individual household circumstances and energy usage.
That makes it important to look at the £100 payment as one part of the wider Budget rather than assuming every household’s energy bill will fall by the same amount.
What else did the Autumn Budget change?
The £100 energy payment is just one of the announcements affecting household finances.
From taxes and pensions to savings and other changes to energy bills, our main Budget guide explains what you need to know in straightforward terms.
£100 energy payment: Frequently asked questions
Is everyone getting £100?
No. The payment has been announced for households in council tax bands A to D, subject to the final eligibility rules.
Is it £100 per person?
No. The announcement describes a payment of £100 per qualifying household.
When will I receive the money?
The exact payment timetable has not yet been confirmed.
Do I need to apply?
Full instructions about the payment process have not yet been published.
Is this the same as the Warm Home Discount?
No. The new £100 payment is separate from the existing Warm Home Discount scheme.
MoneyMagpie will update this article as more official details become available.
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