If you’re worried about sky high energy bills, you’ll want to know what energy bills help is available. We bring you up to speed on the latest developments with the Energy Price Guarantee. Plus everything you need to know about all the schemes providing energy bills help, how to access them and whether it’s a good idea to switch.
During the colder months you may be asking what energy bills help is available to help soften the blow of expensive gas and electricity bills. We take a look…
What’s does the Energy Price Guarantee cap mean for you?
The Energy Price Guarantee was introduced by the government in October 2022 to help consumers manage their energy bills after the price of energy soared. Thankfully, the price of energy has come down considerably since. The current Energy Price Cap which came into effect on 1 January is £1,928 for a ‘typical’ household using gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit.
However, as the price cap amount is based on the usage of a ‘typical’ household, if you use more energy than a typical household, you’ll pay more than the price cap and if you use less, your bill will be lower.
But although energy costs have come down, they are still much higher than we’ve been used to in recent years. By comparison, the Energy Price Cap in October 2021 was £1,277, so many of us will be looking for ways to save.
Also, while since July 2023, households without a pre-payment meter no longer received an Energy Price Guarantee discount on their gas and electricity bills, those on a prepayment meter continue to receive a discount which will save a typical customer around £40 a year, to bring their bills in line with what people would pay if paying by Direct Debit. This follows the Government’s commitment to ending the ‘prepay premium’.
Can I find the cheapest energy supplier by switching?
Following the huge rise in energy bills and the introduction of the Energy Price Guarantee, the idea of being able to find the cheapest energy supplier by switching was impossible in most, if not all, cases. But thankfully, as the cost of energy falls, the chance of being able to find the cheapest energy bill by switching looks increasingly likely.
For example, new app-only energy supplier Fuse Energy has launched an electricity-only tariff that’s cheaper than the price cap. But there are some downsides such as it only supplies electricity, so if you’re a dual-fuel household and want to switch you’ll have to deal with a different supplier for your gas. So always check the T&Cs before switching.
Also, some energy suppliers offer deals to existing customers. And in some cases, you’ll need to choose a fixed tariff to lock in a rate. But other suppliers offer variable deals that track under the price cap – so shop around to see if you can find a better deal. But always check the T&Cs before switching.
Energy bills help: Are you entitled to government help?
Are you entitled to energy bills help including:
- Cost of living payments: Eight million people receiving benefits and on low incomes are due their third – and final – cost-of-living payment of £299 between 6-22 February 2024 for most people.
- Winter Fuel Payment – If you were born on or before 26 September 1957 you could get between £250-£600 to help you pay your heating bills. This amount includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ of between £150 and £300.
- Cold Weather Payment – This is a £25 payment for every 7 days of very cold weather between November and March.
- Household Support Fund – This is a funding package to help vulnerable households.
- While if you live in Scotland, the Child Winter Heating Payment is a £235.70 annual payment per disabled child and young person under 19 living in Scotland.
Can the Great British Insulation scheme help?
If you’re looking for energy bills help, you may be able to get free or cheaper insulation through the Great British Insulation scheme, previously called the ECO+ scheme. The scheme is open to homeowners, landlords or tenants. But if you’re renting, you’ll need our landlord’s permission before any insulation can be installed.
You may get support if your home:
The types of insulation you may be able to get support to install include: cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation (internal or external), loft insulation, flat or pitched roof insulation, underfloor insulation, solid floor insulation, park home insulation and room-in-roof insulation.
Easy ways to save on your energy bills
The government’s Help for Households campaign offers advice on how to cut their energy use, while still remaining warm this winter. Tips include:
- Reducing your boiler flow temperature – this is the temperature a boiler heats water to before it is sent to radiators – to 60⁰C
- Turning down radiators in empty rooms
- Draught-proofing windows and doors to reduce heating loss from the property
And when it comes to energy bills help it might be of interest to know that VAT has been scrapped for homeowners installing energy efficient measures such as solar panels, heat pumps, or insulation until 2027.
Also, in September 2023, it was announced the The Boiler Upgrade Grant, will be increased by 50% to £7,500 to help homeowners who want to replace their gas boilers with a low carbon alternative like a heat pump.
See our guide for advice on the big energy efficient home improvements to consider, how much they cost and the likely energy savings.
What if you can’t afford your energy bills?
If you’re really struggling to pay your energy bills, agree a payment plan with your supplier.
Contact your supplier as soon as you can. Energy regulator Ofgem says your supplier is obliged to work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford. You can ask for:
- a review of your payments and debt repayments
- payment breaks or reductions
- more time to pay
- access to hardship funds
- Priority Service registration. This is a free support service if you are in a vulnerable situation.
However if you can’t agree on a way to pay, get help from Citizens Advice or Advice Direct Scotland.
Are you eligible for additional energy bills help from your supplier?
Many energy companies offer schemes or grants that offer energy bills help. These include E.on Energy Fund, E.on Next Energy Fund and British Gas Energy Trust. You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to be eligible for help from the British Gas Energy Trust.
But bear in mind you’ll need to jump through a lot of administrative hoops for the application process for this energy bills help. For example, you’ll need to have spoken to a debt adviser first and completed a budget showing your income and spending. And the eligibility criteria varies. However, those in the greatest need are prioritised.
Prepay energy bills help
If you’re on a prepay meter and you’re struggling to pay, your supplier must help too. Energy bills help available from energy firms includes:
- Emergency credit: All suppliers offer small amounts of emergency credit; it’s usually £5 of credit on your gas and electricity meter, however some suppliers have increased this due to the energy crisis. The option to use it is usually available when you have a small amount left on your meter, typically about less than 50p for electricity or £2 for gas. Your supplier will tell you how it works for your meter and you’ll need to pay the amount back when you next top up.
- Friendly credit: This protects you if you start running out of credit when the shops are closed and means you won’t be cut off, and can keep using gas and electricity if you run out of credit during evenings, weekends and bank holidays. However, you’ll need to pay back anything you’ve used when you next top up.
- What if I can’t afford to top up? If you’re facing self-disconnection due to being unable to keep enough money on the meter, you may be able to get additional support credit. The energy bills help you can get, how it works and if you’re eligible will depend on your supplier, so speak to it as soon as possible. It’s usually for those in vulnerable situations but if you’re not your supplier may still help. It may offer support credit, review any debts you may be paying off through your meter, or give you access to hardship funds.
Also the government’s Fuel Direct Scheme can help you repay a debt from benefit payments. To apply, contact Jobcentre Plus (or your pension centre if you’re on Pension Credit).
What energy bills help is available from charities?
So what energy bills help is available from charities? According to Ofgem, Charis has information on grants some charities offer and how to go about applying. While Turn2us has a benefits calculator, a grants search tool to help you find out what support you can get and adviser locator tools. You’ll also find information on benefits and information on help with paying energy and water bills.
How to get debt advice
If you’re worried about debt then it’s vital to get advice sooner rather than later. You’ll find advice on managing debt problems and budgeting through:
Have you accessed any energy bills help? Share you experience below
April 25, 2024 
