Winter Supports and Resources with Fuel Voucher overview
- Nov 7, 2025
- 2 min read
Julia Dunkerley, Principal Adviser at Changeworks, provides a short brief for Edinburgh Advice Network members on the various supports and resources available this winter to help support your clients with their energy costs. It includes a short overview of the main Fuel Vouchers that are available.
Winter Update
Changeworks have seen a steady year-on-year rise in referrals for energy support over the last few years, driven by increased outreach and targeted engagement with vulnerable communities. Demand for energy advice always peaks in the winter due to clients facing fuel poverty, health risks, and supply disconnections.
Our Affordable Warmth Service provides practical assistance including energy efficiency advice, heating use guidance, tariff checks, supplier switching, debt prevention, and billing advocacy, including for tenants affected by the end of the “heat with rent” scheme.
Key financial supports available include:
Warm Home Discount
£150 towards a customer's electric account
Core group, automatically paid for those receiving Pension Credit
Broader Group, where an application is required, usually for those on a means tested benefits AND (one of) Disability Benefit/ Child at Home/ Limited Capability for work (or work related activity
NOTE ongoing consultation on the future of the scheme from April 2026, see
Voucher schemes
Fuel Bank Foundation
10 days’ energy vouchers via referral
HACT Fund
this is 3 vouchers, each worth £49 for RSL Tenants. After these have been redeemed, we can refer again for another 3, totalling £294. We do require proof of tenancy, proof of low income, and pictures of the meter showing low credit, for us to be able to refer tenants to this scheme. We also need clients to fully engage with energy advice before we can apply for any vouchers.
Scarf Fuel Funds
The Scarf fuel fund is similar to HACT, in that the number and value of the vouchers is the same, but it's open to individuals of all tenure, meaning we do not require proof of tenure for these applications, but the meter pictures and proof of low income is still required.
Energy Supplier Hardship Funds
• British Gas, Scottish Power, Ovo etc
Benevolent Funders
• Hospitality Action etc
• Edinburgh Trust
Government payments
Changeworks can provide support to apply for any of these schemes, and we recommend a referral for any client struggling with fuel costs, especially vulnerable households. Referrals can be made online at Affordable Warmth Service Referrals.
Agencies can also make use of our online resources when supporting clients, which includes translated materials in 10 languages. We also welcome collaboration with other services and can provide briefing sessions for frontline staff. Contact Julia Dunkerley at jdunkerley@changeworks.org.uk for further information.
See also the attached briefing presentation, recently shared with the Edinburgh Advice Partnership for more information.
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