HELP WITH BILLS & HOUSEHOLD COSTS
Household bills can add up quickly, especially when you're also managing the extra costs of providing care.
Winter bonus
The winter bonus is a lump sum payment normally worth £400 (from 2026 onwards) which is intended to help certain people who get income support with the extra costs of heating their home during the winter months.
The winter bonus is normally worth £400.
However, if you share responsibility for the payment of housing costs with another person who is not your partner you will only get a fraction of this amount, according to the number of people you share the responsibility for the payment of housing costs with. For example, if you share the responsibility for the payment of housing costs with one other person you will get half the amount, so £200.
Who can claim the winter bonus?
To qualify for the winter bonus, you must, in any year:
- Be entitled to income support for any day in the week beginning with the first Monday in January
- Be entitled to a pensioner premium, disability premium, incapacity premium or disabled child premium or an allowance for a child aged under 5 as part of your income support
- Be liable to pay housing costs for where you live, or be treated as if you are liable to pay housing costs for where you live (see below)
'Housing costs' for this purpose means rent, mortgage interest payments, rates, property maintenance and buildings insurance.
You may be treated as if you are liable to pay housing costs for where you live if you are:
- Severely disabled
- A carer for a severely disabled person who lives with you
- Responsible for paying the heating bills for your home
Also, if you’re under state pension age you must have been entitled to a Christmas bonus from social security in the immediately preceding year.
If you live in a hotel, guest house, other lodgings or residential care you won’t qualify for the winter bonus.
How to claim the winter bonus?
Winter bonuses are paid to those who qualify automatically, usually in January each year.
How will I be paid a winter bonus
The winter bonus will be paid to you in the same way as you receive your income support.
If I receive a winter bonus, will this affect any other benefits I receive?
The winter bonus doesn’t affect your entitlement to any other benefits. The winter bonus is also non-taxable.
Additional information, advice and tips
https://costoflivingsupport.gov.im/media/1634/help-for-households-booklet-081123.pdf
https://isleofmanenergy.im/energy-saving-tips