HOW THIS SUPPORT WORKS

How health-linked energy support works

Health-linked energy support is not a single national scheme and does not usually involve a public application form. Instead, it is delivered locally through partnerships between councils, the NHS, social prescribers and community health services, where cold homes are identified as a risk to health. Support is typically accessed by referral, not by applying directly online.

How people are usually identified

You may be identified for health-linked energy support if a professional believes cold, damp or high energy costs are affecting your health or recovery.

Referrals can come from:

• GPs or NHS services

• Social prescribers

• Community health teams

• Adult social care

• Local authority health or housing teams

What this support may involve

Depending on the local partnership, support may involve:

• Short-term help to keep energy on during illness or recovery

• Priority treatment where heating or power loss would pose a health risk

• Temporary protections or safeguards with energy suppliers

• Referrals into home energy efficiency or heating upgrade schemes

Availability and delivery varies by area, because this support is designed around local health need rather than national eligibility rules.

How to access health-linked energy support

There is no single national application route for health-linked energy support. In most cases, access happens through a professional referral, rather than by applying yourself.

If you think this applies to you:

1. Speak to your GP, social prescriber or community health team

2. Ask your local council’s health or adult social care team about energy-related health support

3. If you already receive council or NHS support, ask whether energy or warmth referrals are available locally

Some areas will not advertise this support publicly — knowing to ask is often the key.

Also worth knowing: energy supplier emergency support

Alongside council and health-linked support, energy suppliers also have obligations to support customers facing hardship under Ofgem rules.

This is separate from health-linked and council-run schemes and includes things like:

• Emergency or “friendly” credit

• Temporary protections to prevent disconnection

• Supplier hardship or vulnerability support

Link out to your billing page