MANY households may be feeling anxious about paying their energy bills – but there is help out there for those that are strugling.
Ofgem announced its latest price cap for bills today, with bills dropping for the average household from October.
You could get up to £1,500 to help you with your energy bills
This cap means that typical gas and electricity bills will drop over winter by £151 on average – though the exact amount can vary depending on how much you use.
The fall in Ofgem’s price cap will reward households battling the cost of living with a small annual saving.
However, bills remain high in comparison to what they were 18 months ago and many households may still find their finances spiralling out of control.
For homeowners in this position, there is help out there and a number of energy suppliers have schemes in place to assist you.
Here we have explained the grants and help available if you are struggling with your bills.
British Gas
The British Gas Energy Trust reopened to applications for its Individuals and Family Fund in May.
And the good news is you do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply.
Successful applicants could get a grant worth up to £1,500 to help with their energy bills but the exact amount can vary depending on circumstances.
To be considered for the help you must meet the following criteria:
Live in England, Scotland or WalesYou will have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two yearsYou must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household. The energy account must relate to your main residenceHave electric and/or gas debtNot have savings above £1,000Have received help from a money advice agency
When applying you will need to provide evidence that you’ve received debt advice in the last three months.
You can use moneyhelper.org.uk to find a free debt advisor near you.
You’ll also need proof of your current household income.
British Gas customers will also need a recent meter reading – unless they’re on a smart meter.
You can apply for the fund on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
If you’re a British Gas customer and you’re struggling to pay your bill, you can contact their customer service team on 0333 202 9804.
While there isn’t a grant that just customer’s can access, you can set up a payment plan to help you manage your bill.
If you already owe British Gas money, they will discuss options with you in how you can pay it back in manageable instalments.
Scottish Power
If you are on a lower income and struggling to pay your bills you could be eligible for the ScottishPower Hardship Fund.
But unlike British Gas, this scheme is only open to Scottish Power customers.
This can help you get back in control of your finances by clearing or reducing arrears by crediting your ScottishPower energy account.
You could be eligible if you meet the terms and conditions and are receiving benefits including, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance.
The terms and conditions can change, so make sure to check with Scottish Power first so you don’t get caught out.
There are also other special circumstances that could make you eligible such as reduced income due to illness.
If you decide to make an application, you can do so on the Scottish Power website, or call 0121 285 2595.
E.on
The E.on Next Energy Fund is available for those who are experiencing financial hardship.
There are two options available, one offers help with paying gas and electricity bills through grants.
The second option replaces household appliances that have broken down such as cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines.
You need to show that you have made regular payments towards your energy bill over a three-month period.
You can apply online and will need to provide certain information like your proof of income and a recent meter reading.
Ovo
Ovo customers who are struggling as a result of rising energy prices can access a £50million customer support package.
Direct debit customers have access to an online payment support tool, which can be accessed on the Ovo website.
It can help customers to assess the right plan for them.
Ovo said the most vulnerable customers may be able to have their direct debits reduced by up to 15%.
Customers who pay on receipt of bills can create a bespoke payment plan, lasting for 36 months.
Ovo has increased its emergency credit from £5 to £15 for prepayment customers.
It is also making sure that if customers are switched to a prepayment plan, they will receive regular check-ins to make sure they can get through the winter.
Prepayment customers will also be offered a payment holiday from debt repayment.
You can apply for the support online or via the app.
Customers will need to fill out a form answering questions about their income and medical needs.
You will need to provide details like your name, account number, address, date of birth.
You’ll also need to state your annual household income, your monthly disposable income, medical needs, how many people you live with and if you receive any benefits.
The support is also available to customers of Boost or SSE.
Shell
Shell has a £20m fund that has helped thousands of its customers with financial support.
If you are struggling they advise you to contact them to discuss your situation so that they can work out the best way to help.
If you’re behind with your energy bills, they may also help by clearing your debt or offer a free boiler repair.
This support could be changing how you pay for your bill, arranging payments from benefits or referring to specialist agencies for more support.
You can contact Shell Energy’s customer services on 0330 094 5800 or [email protected] to get more information and apply.
Octopus Energy
Octopus has previously offered a range of support including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
What you can get depends on your circumstances and needs.
Direct bill support could include vouchers up to £500 or a payment holiday.
It could also include a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home that you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.
We have contacted Octopus to find out if their fund is still available and we will update when we hear back from them.
Meanwhile, thousands of customers at a huge energy supplier are being paid to use their electricity at specific times – and you may be eligible too.
Plus, thousands of families can get a little-known cost of living payment worth £230 this winter.
What other energy bill help is there?
A number of organisation are offering free cash to hard-up households feeling the pinch.
The Household Support Fund was set to finish on March 31, but has since been extended until March 31, 2024.
The fund sees local councils across England allotted a maximum amount of money they can share between residents in their area.
The cash can be issued as a direct payment or in the form of vouchers, and some authorities may offer help specifically for energy bills.
Each local council can decide its own eligibility criteria, but usually help is handed out to those on a low income or benefits.
If you want to know what help you might be able to get, you should contact your local council.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the government’s council locator online.
Customers on traditional or smart prepayment meters can usually get what’s known as “emergency credit” if they have no money left on their meter.
But the credit has to be paid back eventually.
A number of providers offer an emergency credit option, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.
But the amounts they offer differ, so you should contact yours to find out what you can get.
gain, customers on a prepayment meter can get one-off vouchers to top up.
The help comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity and is offered through local organisations such as food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best thing to do is contact your local council and see if you might be able to get a voucher.
Failing this, you can try your energy provider, who might be able to step in and help.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.