£100 Energy Payment: Are You Eligible?
Announced 28 October 2026 · Last checked against the latest sources 28 October 2026
In the Budget on 28 October 2026, the Chancellor, John Healey, announced a one-off £100 energy payment this winter for households in England living in homes in council tax bands A to D. He said it would reach about 20 million households and be “paid directly into people’s bank accounts”.
Choose where you live and your council tax band to see where you stand. This checks your home against the scheme as announced — the detailed rules have not been published yet, and we will update this page when they are.
Find your council tax band first
The payment depends on your band. It is printed on your council tax bill, and you can look it up free by postcode on GOV.UK.
What has been confirmed
- £100 per household, as a one-off payment this winter
- For households in England in council tax bands A to D
- About 20 million households, at a cost of £2.6 billion
- Paid directly into bank accounts
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive a share of the funding, but no scheme has been announced there
What is not known yet
The Budget speech set out the headline scheme only. None of the following has been published:
- When the money will be paid
- Who administers it — councils, HMRC or another body
- Whether you need to apply, or are paid automatically
- How households that do not pay council tax by Direct Debit will be paid
- Whether households with a council tax exemption or a full council tax reduction qualify
- Whether it is paid per property, per council tax account or per household
You do not need to do anything yet. If the scheme needs you to claim, the official guidance will say so.
Why council tax bands?
A council tax band is a quick way to reach a large number of households without a means test, but it measures a property’s value rather than the income of the people living there. In England bands are still based on what a home would have sold for on 1 April 1991. So some households on low incomes in band E homes and above will miss out, while some well-off households in bands A to D will qualify.
The approach has been used before. In 2022 the Council Tax Energy Rebate paid £150 to homes in bands A to D in England through councils: it was paid automatically to most households paying council tax by Direct Debit, and others claimed it from their council. Whether this scheme will work the same way has not been confirmed.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The payment announced is for England. The Chancellor said the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive will receive their share of the funding, and urged them to introduce similar support. None has announced a scheme yet. Wales has nine council tax bands from a 2003 revaluation, Scotland’s bands cover different price ranges from England’s, and Northern Ireland has domestic rates rather than council tax — so any scheme there may look different.
Other help with energy bills this winter
The Chancellor also said the removal of VAT from electricity bills will be extended through the winter and spring to July, which he put at £50 off the annual price cap. Separately from the £100 payment, you may qualify for existing schemes such as the Warm Home Discount or Winter Fuel Payment. Our consumer scheme register lists what each scheme is worth and where to apply, and the price cap page shows the current capped rates for your region.
If you are struggling to pay, contact your supplier first — suppliers must offer help such as an affordable payment plan.
Sources
- The Guardian, Budget 2026 live coverage (28 October 2026)
- PA Media, “£100 energy bill support to be sent directly to bank accounts” (28 October 2026)
No GOV.UK guidance had been published when this page was last checked. We will add it here as soon as it is.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets the £100 energy payment?
Households in England living in homes in council tax bands A to D — about 20 million households, according to the Chancellor. The full eligibility rules have not been published yet.
Do I need to apply for the £100 energy payment?
No application process has been announced. The Chancellor said the money will be paid directly into bank accounts, but has not yet said how or when. Do not give your bank details to anyone who contacts you about it.
When will the £100 be paid?
The Chancellor said it will be paid this winter. No date has been published yet.
Do I need to be on Universal Credit or other benefits to get the £100?
Not as announced. The payment was described as going to households in council tax bands A to D in England, with no benefit or income test mentioned. The full rules have not been published, so check again when official guidance is released.
Is the £100 energy payment the same as the Winter Fuel Payment?
No. The Winter Fuel Payment is a separate, existing payment of £100 to £300 for people over State Pension age. The £100 energy payment announced in the Budget is based on your council tax band, not your age.
Will people in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland get £100?
The scheme announced is for England. The Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive will receive a share of the funding and were urged to offer similar support, but none has announced a scheme yet.
How do I find my council tax band?
It is shown on your council tax bill. In England and Wales you can also look it up free by postcode on GOV.UK, and in Scotland through the Scottish Assessors.
Is the £100 taken off my energy bill?
No. As announced, it is paid into your bank account rather than credited to your energy account, so it does not depend on who your supplier is or how you pay for energy.
