Energy bills advice

If you're falling behind with your energy bills and finding it struggle to pay - talk to your supplier as soon as possible.

Under the rules from the energy regulator, Ofgem, they have to help you - usually by arranging a payment plan that you can afford. There may be other help that can be offered as well, which is on a case-by-case basis. So get in touch with them as soon as possible.

On prepay and struggling to pay?

There's plenty of help available from your supplier here as well. All suppliers offer small amounts of emergency credit if you're running really low that you can pay back when you next top up.

And there might be extra support they can provide if you can't afford to top up.

And you won't be cut off at certain times, when it's difficult to get credit from the shops (usually between 6pm and 9am Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday and on bank holidays). You'll need to pay back anything you've used during these times the next time you top up.

Hardship funds

All the big energy firms have charitable trusts and funds that can help if you're in debt and struggling to pay. There's an application process that you have to go through to access this and eligibility requirements vary. Talk to your supplier for more information.

Grants to help pay off your energy debts

If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off.

The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:

• British Gas Energy Support Fund
• Scottish Power Hardship Fund
• Ovo Customer Support Package  
• E.ON Next Energy Fund 
• EDF Energy Customer Support Fund 
• Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’ 
• Octopus  Energy (formally Shell Energy)

If your supplier isn’t listed it’s a good idea to contact them directly to see what extra support they can give you.

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, you might be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone - you don’t have to be a British Gas customer. You’ll need to get debt advice before applying: Fuel Debt Advice – St Ann's Advice Centre (stannsadvice.org.uk)

The Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme is a one-off discount of £140 on your electricity bill between October and March (or as a top-up voucher if you're on a prepay meter). All suppliers with more than 150,000 customers offer it. There's certain criteria you need to meet and the application period has now closed for this winter.

The Government has announced that the discount will rise to £150 when the new application period opens and they're expanding the criteria so that 780,000 more households will benefit from next winter's scheme.

Speak to your supplier to see if you can apply. Even though the application period for this winter has closed, they'll be able to let you know if you would be eligible for next winter and might even be able to put you on a mailing list to let you know when you can next apply.

For more information, go to this page on the Government's website: Warm Home Discount

The winter fuel payment

If there's someone aged 66 or older in your home, you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a 'Winter fuel payment'.

For more information go to the Government's website: Winter Fuel Payments

Get on the Priority Services Register

It's a free support service operated by energy suppliers that help people in vulnerable situations. You have to meet certain criteria to be eligible but, if you do, it's easy to be added and you don't need to ask your supplier. Visit their website or call 0800 169 9970 for more information. The Priority Services Register website

Only pay for the energy you use - do regular meter readings

Your energy supplier's estimates of the amount of energy you're using, might be way off. If they're underbilling, you could have an even bigger bill when they get your actual reading or if they're overbilling - then they'll have your money for energy you've not used. If you pay by Direct Debit, you can ask for it to be changed. 

Having a Smart Meter can also help as they send meter readings automatically to your supplier. Find out more about Smart Meters on the Smart Energy GB website.

Pay by Direct Debit if you can

It can cut your bills by about £90 a year on average and as it's paid automatically, you don't have to remember to pay it.

Using less energy is a simple way to save on bills

Small things like turning down the thermostat by one degree, wearing extra layers, turning lights off when you leave a room, taking shorter showers, using energy saving light bulbs and not leaving electrical items on standby can all make a difference to your bills.

Request a smart meter

Smart meters show you how much energy you are using in your home in pounds and pence. Knowing exactly what you're spending without the need to supply meter readings or getting estimated bills from your supplier can help you to budget. 

To request a smart meter, just contact your supplier. For more information about smart meters, go to the Smart Meter UK website.

If you're struggling with your fuel bills, we have a dedicated team who can help.

Just email energyteam@nottinghamcity.gov.uk and we'll get back to you.

And don't forget, if you're having money problems in general, our Tenancy Sustainment Team can help. To find out why, go to: Help to  manage your rent

There are lots of organisations you can also get in contact with if you're struggling with your bills. Here are some links to a few of them:

• Ask Lion
• St Ann's Advice Centre
• Citizens Advice
• Money Helper
• Step Change
• National Debt Line
• Age UK
• Scope
• Money Saving Expert

We also have further links and advice on our Energy and Sustainability pages.