What to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills
The typical annual energy bill will rise again in January, following the festive period and as temperatures are due to drop, when money is tight, and people need their heating the most.
Price rises are due to an increase in the Energy Price Cap, with the typical energy bill set to be £1,928 for households on prepayment meters and £2,058 for households who pay by direct debit. The price cap is the maximum amount that suppliers can charge per unit of energy and these numbers are the costs predicted for the average household.
For the many concerned with paying their energy bills, this may leave people wondering what to do if they cannot afford their energy bills this winter, prompting us to look into the support available.
As well as increased energy prices, there are several reasons why people can struggle to pay their energy bills, including:
• They are on a low income, living on a pension and/or benefits
• Rising cost of living and other essentials
• Their heating could be expensive to run
• The home may not be well insulated
• They may not send meter readings so bills may be estimated by the supplier
• They may face personal difficulties and/or health challenges
• They may have difficulties with budgeting
If you are in debt to your supplier or struggling to pay your bills:
start by speaking to them. Raising the problem ensures that they are aware of your circumstances and can work with you to find a resolution.
Your supplier may agree a payment plan, or they might advise you switch to a prepayment meter or smart meter with prepayment mode.
For example, ‘able to pay’ plans are available so that you can pay a portion of the cost due each month, meaning that, based on what you can afford, some months you may pay less and other months more. By doing this as part of an agreed plan, you will feel less stressed about being in debt to your supplier.
If you need to call your supplier, here is a list of low-cost and/or free contact numbers for energy suppliers. Otherwise, you should be able to find their number on your latest bill.
Additionally, you can request a flexible monthly direct debit which means you only pay for your consumption which is measured by a smart meter or regular readings.
If you can’t afford to top up your meter:
You may be able to access emergency credit. Information regarding this should be found on your supplier’s website, it can also be called ‘friendly credit’ which is often available if you run out of credit during evenings, weekends or bank holidays.
In both cases, this will need to be paid back to your supplier, especially before you can take out credit again. It is important to note that emergency/friendly credit often needs to be paid back at a higher rate, so make sure to check this with your supplier first.
Ensure your energy bills are accurate:
Regular meter readings keep your energy bills accurate. You will know your energy bills are estimated if there is an “E” marked against the meter reading, and you will have to pay that amount even if you are using less. You don’t want to be stuck with unnecessarily large bill, so submitting readings helps to avoid this.
A smart meter automatically records how much electricity or gas you use and automatically sends readings to your supplier. This saves time, means your bills are accurate and allows you to see how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you.
Additional support available
Alongside support to pay your bills, there are additional services in place than can help to maximise your income and make it known to your supplier that you are in a vulnerable situation.
Keep reading to see which services you could be eligible for:
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If you are a pensioner, disabled, pregnant or living with young children, you may be eligible for the Priority Services Register. (PSR) The PSR is a priority list of households who are especially vulnerable in the case of power cut and are eligible for priority support.
We can help process your application for the PSR, it is completely free and worthwhile. The PSR will not directly reduce your bill, but it means that your supplier is aware that you are vulnerable. In the event of any power difficulties, they will see you as a priority to get reconnected.
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Severn Trent’s Big Difference Scheme offers up to 90% discount off your water bill to customers with a household income below £20,048, saving as much as £300 on your annual water bill.
To save you time during the application process and to ensure that things run smoothly, we can complete the application on your behalf.
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We can offer support with applications for benefits, as well as hardship funds and crisis grants. Now more than ever, it is important that you are claiming the benefits that you are entitled to, as it could increase your income as well as opt you in to schemes that the Government are rolling out.
Fill in a form to find out more and we will be in touch.
You might be able to get a grant or benefit aimed at alleviating energy bills. Check out the list from Citizens Advice here.
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The government have a ‘Fuel Direct Scheme’, which means money can be taken directly out of your benefits payment to pay toward debt or your gas and electricity payments. Benefits that can be used are:
• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
To set up fuel direct:
If you get pension credit - contact the pension service.
If you receive other benefits, contact the job centre.
Say that you would like to set up Fuel Direct and they will contact your supplier on your behalf. Your supplier must agree to this and will set up the repayments if so. You will be informed of how much will be taken from your benefits.
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You may be struggling with budgeting and managing your bills. There are charities and government-funded schemes which can help with this, such as ‘Direct Help and Advice’ who are based in Ilkeston, Derby. DHA offer free money health checks to help people prioritise debts and negotiate repayment plans with their suppliers. They also run free workshops on maximising income, budgeting and more. Visit their website here.
Community Money Advice is another organisation that offers free and confidential debt and budgeting advice. You can visit a local advice centre for free, confidential advice and practical support. Find out more here.
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If you are struggling in a cold home and seeking a warm space, you are not alone. Nottingham City Council, partners, community and voluntary organisations have warm spaces for anybody to freely access and keep warm.
Warm spaces are a place to keep warm, meet other people and may offer warm refreshments and activities.
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Electric blankets are an extremely cost-effective way of keeping warm. The average cost of a blanket starts at around £40 and they only cost around 2-4p an hour to run on their maximum setting.
If you are a client of Octopus Energy, they run an electric blankets scheme, distributing free blankets to vulnerable people and those with medical needs.
To find out if you are eligible, you need to apply for ‘OctoAssist’. Visit their website here to find out more.
Additionally, if you have an electric blanket, it is recommended to get it safety checked. Nottinghamshire Fire Service and Nottinghamshire County Council offer FREE electric blanket safety testing. Call 0115 804 4555 to register.
Any blanket that fails on the testing day will be replaced.
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We currently run a number of schemes which can help you with energy support and energy efficiency.
This includes funding for home energy improvements for off-gas properties, insulation upgrades, food vouchers and more.
Our friendly team can conduct a quick survey with you and inform you of the different schemes and support that you could be eligible for. Just call us on 0115 985 9057 or fill in a form.
For a list of the services that we offer, visit our page here.
We are on hand to help alleviate stresses around the cost of living and fuel poverty. If you are worried, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0115 985 9057.