Check what help is available

You might be able to get help with your energy bills. The help available will depend on how you pay for your energy, the type of energy you use and if you claim benefits.

Check you're getting all the benefits and help you're entitled to

Make sure you're receiving all the help you are entitled to will make paying for fuel bills and other household expenses easier.

Did you know that over £20bn in benefits and tax credits goes unclaimed in the UK? That's enough to pay the fuel bills of millions of homes!

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, or simply want to make sure that you are getting all the financial help you are entitled to, your local Citizens Advice can help you to check that you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could boost your income.

Some people who receive benefits can also get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 if the temperature drops below freezing in their local area for seven days in a row. You don't need to apply – if you are eligible it will be paid automatically in the same way you receive your benefits.

With the Warm Home Discount, you might get £150 off your electricity bill if you’re on a low income, and you should get the discount automatically.

You should qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you are:

• on the guarantee element of pension credit

• on a qualifying benefit because you have a low income, and also have high energy costs (this is based on your property characteristics, not how much you spend on energy)

If you’re eligible, you should get a letter by January 2025. You may also be asked to call the helpline to provide more information.

Check with your supplier to see if they offer the Warm Home Discount – not all suppliers are part of the scheme. Phone your supplier and ask, or check on the gov.uk website.

If you switch supplier before you get the payment, you can contact your old supplier to make sure they have your details to forward the payment to you. You'll need to make sure they have your contact details.

If your electricity supplier goes bust, ask your new supplier if you’ll still get the Warm Home Discount.

If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, then you might be able to get a fuel voucher from your local council. If eligible, you will receive a code in a letter, text message or email, and you can use it to add credit to your account.

You might also be able to get extra support from your energy supplier by signing up to the Priorities Services Register. Visit thepsr.co.uk to find out if you’re eligible to be added - if you are, then they will offer extra support including making your call a priority when you contact them

If you’re struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills, contact your supplier to discuss ways to pay what you owe them. Your supplier has to help you come to a solution. You should try to negotiate a deal that works for both of you. If you don’t try to negotiate with your supplier, they might threaten to disconnect your supply.

You can find more information on the Citizens Advice advice pages:

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

• Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

• What to do if your energy supplier is threatening to disconnect your gas or electricity

• Complaining to your energy supplier

• If you need more help

If you use heating oil 

You should aim to order your heating oil towards the end of summer, as prices can increase significantly during the autumn and winter months, although the amount of oil you can order will be limited by the capacity of your tank. Make sure to shop around before buying, and if necessary ask suppliers about flexible payment options. 

You might be able to save money by joining an oil club, if there’s one in your area. Oil clubs are a great way to save money on fuel costs. In simple terms, you can use the collective buying power of a group in your local area to negotiate a better deal from oil suppliers by buying in bulk and getting deliveries at the same time. They also help the environment by cutting down the number of tanker journeys on roads. Your local ACRE representative may know whether there is an oil club in your area.

It's a good idea to use a supplier that belongs to the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA). If you have issues with your supplier, UKIDFA can help resolve them. If you're at risk during cold weather because of your age or a health condition, your oil delivery can be prioritised under UKIFDA's Cold Weather Priority Initiative. Find out more on the UKIFDA website.

Last updated: October 2024