The government has allocated millions for new boilers: who will receive assistance.

According to The Sun: Thousands of families still do not take advantage of the opportunity to receive free funds for improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

The "Energy Companies Obligations" program introduced by the government can help you finance improvements that will contribute to energy savings in your home.

As part of the program, you can receive free funds for repairs or the replacement of a boiler.

Financial assistance is also available for insulation, including of attics or walls.

According to Which?, a new or replacement boiler typically costs between £600 and £2500.

This cost may be covered by the "Energy Companies Obligations" program if you meet its criteria.

A new energy-efficient boiler can significantly reduce your energy costs, saving hundreds of pounds each year.

According to British Gas, replacing an old boiler with an energy-efficient one can save you up to £840.

Am I eligible for assistance?

You can receive assistance if you live in private housing and receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Guaranteed Credit for Pensioners
• Pension Savings Credit
• Income Support
• Additional Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• Child Benefit
• Housing Benefit

If you are a homeowner, your energy efficiency rating must not be higher than D, E, F, or G to meet the criteria.

If you are renting, the house cannot have an energy efficiency rating higher than E, F, or G.

Permission from the owner is also required to carry out works.

If you live in social housing, you may also be eligible for assistance.

If your social housing has an energy efficiency rating of E, F, or G, you can receive help for insulation or the installation of a heating system for the first time.

How to apply

If you plan to apply, contact your local council to find out if they are participating in the "Energy Companies Obligations" program.

You can also contact your energy supplier directly.

Participants in the program include:

• British Gas
• E (Gas & Electricity) Ltd
• E.ON UK Solutions
• Ecotricity
• EDF
• Octopus Energy
• Outfox the Market
• OVO
• Scottish Power
• So Energy (including ESB Energy)
• The Utility Warehouse
• Utilita Energy Ltd
• Contact information for participating suppliers can be found on the Ofgem website.

Additional assistance this winter

If you are facing difficulties paying your energy bills, additional support is available this winter.

British Gas has allocated £140 million to assist customers who are experiencing financial difficulties through its Energy Support Fund.

Families in England, Scotland, and Wales can receive up to £2000 to cover energy bills this winter.

This assistance is only available to existing British Gas customers who are at risk of energy poverty.

OVO Energy offers free blankets and smart plugs to support customers during rising energy costs.

The OVO program is worth £56 million and also includes energy efficiency improvements, from insulation to new boilers.

If you are unable to obtain assistance through the specified funds, there are other options available.

Energy suppliers offer one-time payments of £150 through the "Warm Homes Discount" program, which provides a free discount on electricity bills for eligible households.

What assistance is available for energy bills?

There are several ways to receive assistance with your energy bills if you are struggling.

If you find yourself in debt, contact your supplier to see if they can offer you a repayment plan before moving you to a prepayment meter.

This plan allows for repayment of the debt in installments over a set period of time.

If you believe the proposed repayment plan is unmanageable, speak to your supplier to find a better solution.

Several energy companies have support programs for customers who are struggling to pay bills.

However, participation conditions vary from supplier to supplier, and the amount of assistance depends on your financial situation.

For example, customers of British Gas or Scottish Gas who are having difficulty paying their bills may expect grants of up to £2000.

British Gas also promotes support through its Energy Fund and Family Fund.

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for assistance from the Family Fund.

Additionally, EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power also provide grants to those facing financial difficulties.

Sadly, thousands of vulnerable households do not receive assistance due to not being connected to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

This service helps support vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with health issues.

Some benefits include notifications of disconnections, free gas safety checks, and additional assistance in times of difficulty.

Contact your energy company to find out if you can apply to be part of this register.