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Winter checklist: what you need to know about energy, costs, and support

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Festive lights brighten our streets and the chill in the air reminds us that winter is upon us. It’s a season that can bring extra worries for many households, especially around heating, energy bills, and staying well. If you’re feeling the pinch, you’re not alone. 

Rachel, the Trust’s Welfare Officer, explains how to access help with boiler breakdowns, prepare for frozen pipes, and make simple changes that can reduce costs. Even small steps can make a big difference as winter continues.

Payment dates during Bank Holidays

Bank holidays can change your pay dates, whether you receive wages, benefits, or other financial support. Take time to check your payment schedule and plan ahead to keep your budget on track.

Key upcoming UK Bank Holidays

  • Thursday 25 December 2025 (UK) – Christmas Day  
  • Friday 26 December 2025 (UK) – Boxing Day  
  • Thursday 1 January 2026 (UK) – New Year’s Day
  • Friday 2 January 2026 (Scotland only) – Bank Holiday

How payments are affected by Bank Holidays

If your payday falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you will usually get the payment the working day before. Check your payment dates and contact your bank if you think your payment is late.

Emergency support

If you are finding things hard because your pay or benefit paydays have changed, your local authority [gov.uk] will be able to direct you to available emergency support. 

Emergency food

Find your nearest food bank via the Trussell Trust 

Ask your CF social worker for more information on how to get a food voucher. 

Emergency fuel

Cystic Fibrosis Trust are partners with the Fuel Bank Foundation and here to help you if you have a prepayment meter for gas and/or electricity and are struggling to top up your meter.

Call our Helpline for more information on how to get a fuel voucher.

Emergency financial support

We offer a £150 emergency grant for those in urgent need to help cover essentials like food. We look at applications as soon as we get them, but please note that forms sent to us after 16 December 2025 will be processed in January.

Find out more about our emergency grants

The Trussell Trust can also put you in touch with a trained Citizens Advice adviser who can help with accessing benefits, grants, emergency support, and referrals for mental health information and support. 

Find help and advice from the Trussell Trust

Winter support payments

Christmas Bonus for certain benefit recipients

You may be eligible for a one-off tax-free £10 Christmas Bonus in December. This is paid automatically to people who get certain benefits [gov.uk] during the first full week of December. It’s a bit of extra help during the festive season.

Cold Weather Payments (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, you may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 if you receive certain benefits [gov.uk] and the temperature in your local area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven days in a row.

Cold Weather Payments are made automatically so you don’t need to apply, and the money won’t affect your other benefits. Each qualifying 7-day cold spell triggers one £25 payment.

Winter Heating Payments (Scotland)

Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland. Instead, Scotland has its own scheme. 

For winter 2025/26, eligible people in Scotland will receive a Winter Heating Payment [mygov.scot], which is paid once per year and does not depend on temperature. This support is designed to help with the additional costs of staying warm during the colder months.

Payments are made automatically by Social Security Scotland if you meet the criteria during the qualifying week, so there’s no need to apply.

Winter Fuel Payments (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025/26. How much you’ll get [gov.uk] depends on your circumstances.

If you're eligible, you'll get your payment in November or December. If you haven’t had a letter confirming you can get these payments, it’s worth checking if you need to make a claim. 

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (Scotland)

The Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced in Scotland. You might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating payment [mygov.scot] that helps people of State Pension age pay their heating bills. 

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount Scheme [gov.uk] offers a £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income. 

People on pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters can still apply. Contact your electricity supplier to check if you’re eligible and to apply.

Park (mobile) homes: You apply a different way if you live in a park home. Apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount [Charis]

Keeping heating costs down

  1. Check your tariff and meter readings: Make sure you’re on the best tariff available and that your meter readings are up to date, that way you’re paying for what you use, not estimates. Check energy tariffs [Citizens Advice]
  2. Service your boiler and bleed your radiators: Regular maintenance keeps your heating efficient and less likely to break down. Bleeding radiators helps them warm up properly. Learn more about the most economical ways to use your central heating [Energy Saving Trust]
  3. Tackle draughts and insulation early: Fit draught excluders, seal gaps, and top up loft insulation. These small changes make a big difference when cold winds arrive. Find out how to draught-proof your home [Energy Saving Trust]

Top tip: Resist the urge to try and “boost” by cranking the thermostat! Your boiler heats at the same rate, so keep it at a consistent setting to save energy and money.

If you’re finding it hard to afford your energy bills speak to your energy supplier – they are required to work with you to find solutions. There may also be grants and other financial support available. 

Find out more information about support with energy bills.

Help with boiler repairs or replacements

Homeowners

If you own your home and your boiler stops working, there are several schemes that might help with the cost of a repair or replacement:

Social tenants (council or housing association homes)

If you rent from a council or housing association, boiler repairs are usually your landlord’s responsibility.

  • Report any heating or hot water fault straight away (ideally in writing).
  • Social landlords normally have emergency repair contractors and must ensure you have a safe way to heat your home.
  • If repairs are delayed or you’re left without heating for too long, you can seek advice from Shelter England or contact the Housing Ombudsman.

Private tenants

Private landlords are also legally responsible for keeping heating and hot water in working order.

  • Report problems immediately, keep records of messages or emails, and allow reasonable time for repair.
  • If your landlord ignores you, contact Citizens Advice, Shelter or your local council’s Environmental Health Team. Local councils can take enforcement action if a landlord fails to provide safe heating.

Find out more about repairs in rented housing:

Protect your water supply this winter

Cold weather can lead to frozen pipes and leaks, which may interrupt your water supply. For people living with cystic fibrosis, access to clean water is essential for hydration, medication, and hygiene. Registering with your water company’s Priority Services Register provides extra support if your water supply is disrupted. 

It’s a free service for people who need a little extra help. If your water supply is interrupted, the Priority Services Register makes sure you’re not left struggling during emergencies or unexpected outages.

Benefits of the Priority Services Register

  • Emergency water delivery: If there’s a supply problem, bottled water can be delivered to your home, especially important if you can’t go out easily.
  • Advance notice of planned work: You’ll get early warnings about any work that might affect your water supply.
  • Accessible communication: Choose how you receive information (large print, braille, audio) or even nominate someone to speak on your behalf.
  • Extra security: Set up a password for doorstep visits to keep you safe from bogus callers.
  • Free and confidential: It costs nothing to join, and your details are kept private.

How to register

Contact your water company online or by phone. Tell them you’d like to join the Priority Services Register, and they’ll guide you through a quick, simple process.

Find your supplier [Water UK]

Take control of your money

Making your money go further is essential during the winter months. Whether it’s setting a budget, maximising your income, or cutting down on spending, there are many ways to make your money work for you.

  • Use the MoneyHelper Budget Planner to keep track of your money coming in and what you are spending. This tool can help you manage your money throughout the winter.
  • Find out more about our Income Maximisation Service making sure you’re not missing out on benefits or grants. 

If you are struggling with debt, support is available:

Your wellbeing

Winter can be a hard time for mental health, particularly when living with cystic fibrosis. For some people, the festive season can bring feelings of loneliness, stress, and money worries, but there are plenty of ways to get support.

  • Connect with others: Our CF Connect service and online community are great places to connect with others living with CF for support and shared experiences.
  • If you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123, or you can text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support.

Our Helpline

For information and support on anything to do with cystic fibrosis, including financial support, contact our confidential Helpline.

Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053

Our Helpline is open Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm.

During the Bank Holidays: our Helpline will close 12pm on Tuesday 23 December and reopen at 10am on Friday 2 January.

With these resources and tips, you can get through the winter months with confidence. Stay warm, stay well, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support.