REAP Scotland

09/10/2026

REAP will be at The Library on Wednesday 14th. October.
Come along for
- Getting the best deal on your energy bills
- Switching tariffs and/or suppliers
- Saving energy in your home
- How to use heating controls to keep you warm and save money
- Information on energy grants and schemes
All free and impartial.

05/10/2026

Some good advice from Martin Lewis in tackling the latest energy price rise news...
*REAP can help you with this :-)
Ofgem's Energy Price Cap rose by 3.6% on October 1st.
The latest forecast predicts a further 21% rise from 1 Jan, the coldest time of the year. If that happens, it'd mean rates over 30% higher than the same period last year - though in practice, heavy gas users would see bigger rises, electricity-only users smaller. The big rise on this Cap is for gas users.

*You DON'T need to let the hikes happen.
Many on standard tariffs can avoid this by switching to the cheapest fixes, where you lock in the rate for a year or two, so it won't rise. Don't just stick with your existing firm though, it may not be the cheapest.

Electricity VAT is being scrapped for six months from too. This applies to the elec unit rates and Standing Charges (not gas). For those on a Price-Capped tariff, the 3.6% Price Cap rise includes the VAT cut - without it, the average rise would've been 6.2%. For those already on fixes or other non-Price Cap tariffs, they should see their electricity bills cut by 4.8%.

*On monthly Direct Debit? It's Meter Reading Week. If you've NOT got working smart meters, submit an up-to-date reading over the next few days to reduce the risk your provider estimates you've used more than you actually have at the new rate.

The January Cap is predicted to rise by a massive 21%. The latest predictions are a tad lower than they were, but still are for a further 21% rise on 1 Jan, and not predicted to drop much in April. The main reason for these big changes is the wholesale rates energy firms pay... and they've been sky-high recently. We're six weeks through the 13-week assessment period, so those highs are now baked in. So while exact predictions change weekly, it's now sadly almost unthinkable it won't rise, and improbable it won't rise substantially. Expect a ballpark of 12% to 30%, depending on world events (barring Govt intervention).

*Check your Direct Debit (DD). If too high, you can challenge unfair DDs. Plus, if you're more than two months in credit right now, consider asking to get excess credit back.

See also

Use Martin Lewis' Cheap Energy Club to compare energy deals. You'll get a unique bespoke prediction of what you'd pay if you stay on the Price Cap and the best deals in market right now.

05/10/2026

Good news!
The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme has been extended into the winter months.
The scheme aims to support households facing increased costs of oil or LPG for heating.
More information is available on their website: https://homeheatingadvice.scot/, which has been updated to reflect the extension.

Applications can be made online, or households can call 0800 048 7413 for assistance.
Payment will be made directly to the supplier wherever possible.

Eligibility:
To qualify for a payment, you must meet the following criteria:
You are the bill payer in a home for which the primary heating fuel is oil or liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
The home is your only or main residence.
You have purchased fuel after 1 April 2026 or are planning to make an order shortly.

Automatic Qualification:
You will qualify automatically if you receive any of the following means-tested low-income social security benefits:
Universal Credit (including Scottish Child Payment)
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Pension Credit

Discretionary Qualification:
You may also qualify through a discretionary decision if you:
Are in financial hardship, but not currently receiving a low-income benefit, and
Are at risk of self-rationing, plus meet one or more of the following conditions:
Priority need for heat or higher energy consumption due to impaired health, age (under 5 or over 75), disability, chronic or serious illness, long-term condition, mental health issue, recent hospital discharge, or end-of-life care.
Priority need for heat due to geography or rurality.
Other vulnerability, such as debt, waiting for a benefits decision or appeal, major life event, or recent bereavement.

Support for households using heating oil and LPG Delivered by Advice Direct Scotland Find Out More About Us The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme is delivered by Advice Direct Scotland. The scheme aims to support vulnerable households with the increased cost of oil or LPG for heating. If you get...

05/10/2026

REAP will be at The Hub on Thursday 8th. October.
Come along for
- Getting the best deal on your energy bills
- Switching tariffs and/or suppliers
- Saving energy in your home
- How to use heating controls to keep you warm and save money
- Information on energy grants and schemes
All free and impartial.

30/09/2026

❄️ Winter Heating Payment (Scotland) – Quick Summary for 2026/27
People in Scotland who receive certain benefits get a single Winter Heating Payment each year to help with heating costs. It’s £62.00 and is paid automatically from December onwards.
You don’t need to apply if you already receive one of the qualifying benefits — Social Security Scotland checks your details and pays you automatically.
Key points:
• Paid once per winter, starting in December.
• Weather doesn’t matter — you get it even if temperatures stay mild.
• You’ll get a letter or email telling you it’s on the way.
• It shows on your bank statement as “WHP”.
• If you think you’ve missed a payment, Social Security Scotland will review your details and pay you if eligible.
The payment doesn’t affect any other benefits you receive.

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

We are now taking enquiries from partner organisations, interested in joining us at our Energy Fair.
[email protected]

30/09/2026

❄️ Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – What You Need to Know (Scotland)
If you’re of State Pension age, you may get a yearly payment to help with heating costs. It replaces the old Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.
• It’s a one off annual payment to help with winter heating bills
• Most people who qualify will get it automatically — no application needed
• Payments are sent to the same account as your State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefits
• You’ll receive a letter from November 2026 confirming your payment amount
• The payment ranges from £105.55 to £316.70, depending on your circumstances
• A small number of people may need to apply — check your situation if unsure
• If your individual income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back (this applies to single incomes only)
This support is part of Scotland’s social security system, which has replaced some UK wide benefits with Scottish ones.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – Scam Awareness Reminder
You will receive a letter to confirm your Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, not a text or email.
This payment is sent automatically to eligible individuals, and letters will be sent out from November 2025.
Be cautious of scams that may claim to be from the Department of Work and Pensions, as these are not legitimate communications.

30/09/2026

🌡️ Warm Home Discount – Scotland (Quick Update for 2026/27)
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is currently closed and will reopen in October 2026.
If you live in Scotland, you could get money off your electricity bill this winter if you meet certain benefit and energy supplier criteria.
There are two ways to qualify:
🔹 Automatic eligibility – if you receive specific benefits like Pension Credit or certain disability related additions.
🔹 Apply through your energy supplier – if you don’t qualify automatically, some suppliers offer extra routes to apply. REAP can help with this if you are unsure.
The discount is taken off your electricity bill directly — it isn’t paid to you.

Warm Home Discount – Scam Awareness Reminder
You’ll only ever be contacted by post if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount. The Government does not send texts, emails, or phone calls about this scheme.
So, if you get a message asking you to confirm details, click a link, or share personal information, it’s not genuine. Treat it as a scam and don’t respond.
Always check that any communication about the Warm Home Discount is official and legitimate.

30/09/2026

Now taking bookings from partner organisations interested in joining us on the day.
[email protected]