Households in Worcestershire may now be eligible for a free £500 energy payment to help with rising energy costs. This support is part of a special scheme backed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but it is available only to residents of specific districts in Worcestershire. The scheme is aimed at easing energy bill pressures for low-income or vulnerable households.
Who Can Apply for the £500 Energy Support?
To be eligible for the payment, you must live in one of the following Worcestershire districts:
Malvern
Worcester
Wychavon
Bromsgrove
Redditch
Wyre Forest
Also, your gross household income before tax must not exceed:
£24,570 a year if you are a single adult with no children
£31,000 a year for all other household types
However, some non-means-tested benefits are excluded from the income cap. These include:
Armed Forces Guaranteed Income Payments
Armed Forces Independence Payments & Mobility Supplements
Disability Living Allowance – Mobility Component (both Higher & Lower rates)
Personal Independence Payment – Mobility Component (Enhanced & Standard rates)
Universal Credit – Disabled Child Element (High & Low rates)
Universal Credit – Childcare Element
War Disablement Pension
How to Apply for the £500 Energy Grant
The application must be made by the person who receives DWP benefits in the household. You will need to provide:
Your National Insurance number
Evidence of your energy account: This must be a recent bill (dated within the last 3 months) showing your energy supplier name, your name, address, and account number
Evidence of vulnerability: For example, documents related to medical conditions, care needs, or financial difficulties – ideally dated within the last 3 months
If you’ve applied for Debt Relief or Heating System repairs, include those details too
Once you complete the online form with your income or benefit details, Worcestershire County Council will post or email you another form asking for the supporting evidence.
Important Deadlines
After receiving this second form, you must return it along with all the required evidence within 28 days. If the council does not get your response within this time, your application will be cancelled and you will have to reapply, leading to further delays.
Where to Submit Your Application
All applications and evidence must go through Worcestershire County Council. Full instructions and required document details are listed on their official local authority website.
What Happens If You Don’t Provide Evidence?
Applications that do not include the correct documents will be automatically cancelled. Always double-check your energy bill and other supporting evidence before submitting. Late or missing documents can stop you from receiving the £500 payment.
If you’re a resident of Worcestershire and meet the income criteria, this £500 energy support grant can be a major help in managing your rising energy costs. Just make sure your paperwork is accurate and complete, and submit everything on time. This is a targeted support scheme, so don’t miss out if you’re eligible. Check your eligibility, gather your documents, and apply through the official council website to get the help you need.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the £500 energy support in Worcestershire?
You must live in Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch, or Wyre Forest, and your gross household income must be below £24,570 (single, no children) or £31,000 (all others), excluding certain benefits like PIP mobility and DLA mobility.
How do I apply for the £500 energy grant?
You need to apply online through Worcestershire County Council using the name and National Insurance number of the DWP benefit recipient in your household. Additional evidence will be requested by post or email.
What documents do I need to submit?
You must provide a recent energy bill (dated within the past 3 months), proof of vulnerability (if applicable), and any requested income or benefit details. Missing documents may result in your application being cancelled.
What happens if I don’t submit my documents within 28 days?
If you do not return the requested supporting evidence within 28 days, your application will be closed and you’ll need to reapply. This could cause delays in receiving the support.
Will benefits like PIP or DLA count towards the income cap?
No, certain non-means-tested benefits like the mobility components of PIP and DLA are excluded from the income cap and won’t affect your eligibility.
