Help with your energy bills

With living costs rising rapidly, many people are finding their income isn’t stretching as far as it used to.

If you’re worried about paying your energy bills or other household bills, there’s organisations that can help.

What to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills

If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, the first thing to do is to contact your gas and electricity suppliers.

Your supplier will discuss different ways for you to pay, such as payment plans or paying directly from your benefits.

If you’re on a prepayment meter and can’t afford to top it up, your supplier might be able to add temporary credit if you’ve run out of gas or electricity. It’s important to contact them and explain your situation, as temporary credit isn’t always applied automatically.

There’s more information about what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills or can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter on the Citizens Advice website. 

Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

Some suppliers offer charitable grants for customers in debt to pay off their energy bills. You can also use the Turn2Us grant search tool to find other charitable organisations offering grants to households in need. 

The UK Government is giving every household £400 off their electricity bills this winter, through its Energy Bills Support Scheme.

If you receive any type of benefit, you could also be eligible for extra benefits to help with your energy costs, such as the Warm Home Discount Scheme or Winter Fuel Payment. 

Citizens Advice has lot of helpful information about grants and benefits to help pay your energy bills.

Where to go for help if you’re struggling with other household bills 

As well as the Warm Home Discount Scheme or Winter Fuel Payment, there’s other benefits that can help with your household costs and boost your income. 

We work with partners who can check if you’re eligible for any benefits or grants, and offer free, tailored support if you’re struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Our partners include:

You can contact any of our partners directly for support. Alternatively, you can call our Careline team on 0800 975 1818 and we’ll refer you to the most appropriate organisation to help you and your family. 

You can also get in touch with charities like National Debtline and StepChange for free debt advice.