
How to avoid overloading your plug sockets at home
17th May 2022
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If you're finding it hard to afford your energy bills, there are several things you can do.
Talking about it with your supplier might feel like the last thing you want to do, but you’re not alone – Which?’s consumer insight tracker found over half (51%) of people said they had been putting the heating on less frequently due to energy prices increasing.
Get in touch with your energy supplier to find out whether it can help you reduce your bill, such as paying by monthly direct debit or signing up for an online tariff.
If you're still finding it difficult to pay, there are other things you can do. Read on to find out more.
Also see our tips to cut your energy bills by using less energy, and how to save electricity and save money
If you miss a payment, your energy supplier won't disconnect your gas and electricity at the moment. But if you don't top-up your prepayment meter, your supply might still stop.
Contact your energy supplier if you're struggling to pay, rather than cancelling your direct debit.
It must work with you to agree a payment plan that you can afford. Options vary between suppliers but you can ask for:
Try and agree a deal that works for both you and your supplier. You can also ask to be added to the Priority Services register - this offers free help and support if you are in a vulnerable situation.
If you have a prepayment meter and can't top it up, contact your supplier to work out how to keep your energy supply. Options can include:
Bear in mind that you'll eventually need to pay back any credit your supplier gives you.
Contact your supplier to explain your situation, and offer to pay an amount you can afford.
Energy suppliers must take certain steps before cutting off your supply. Your supplier won't cut you off if you agree a regular payment plan with it and then stick to it. Usually a payment plan will cover what you owe plus an amount for your current use.
It should take into account:
Your energy supplier may need to ask about your income, debt and personal circumstances to work this out. They can estimate future energy use based on what you've used previously.
Send regular meter readings (if you don't have a smart meter) to make sure you're billed accurately. See how to read your electricity meter and how to read your gas meter.
You might be able to pay off what you owe through your benefits using the Fuel Direct scheme.
This takes a fixed payment automatically from your benefits to pay off your debt gradually, while paying towards your current energy use.
Find out if you're eligible for Cold Weather Payment, Winter Fuel Payment and Fuel Direct and how to set it up.
Pay-as-you go energy is one option to stay on top of your energy spend. Some energy suppliers might also ask you to have a prepayment meter installed if you don't keep up with your payments.
However, you can end up paying more for energy with a prepayment meter. So ask about other options first and check Is a prepayment energy meter right for you?.
For Winter 2021/22, 26 energy suppliers have promised to:
British Gas, Bulb, EDF, Eon, Octopus, Ovo, Scottish Power and Utilita are among the 26 companies.
Check your energy company’s code of practice to find out its policy on helping customers in difficult circumstances. Look in the help or FAQs section of its website, or phone the company:
Many of the biggest energy companies also have independent charitable trusts to give grants to some customers to help them pay for fuel arrears.
If you can’t get a grant from your own supplier, check if you’re eligible for one from the British Gas Energy Trust. Its grants are available to anyone, even if you’re not a British Gas customer.
When you apply for any of the aforementioned grants, you will have to provide detailed information about your financial situation. It’s also worth checking whether there’s anything else you need to do before you apply on the supplier or Trust’s website.
Government schemes and benefits can also help make your bills more affordable:
Inaccurate and erratic billing can leave you in debt. If you get a large bill but it’s the first one you’ve had in a while, contact your supplier.
It should be able to arrange for you to repay the debt over the same time that it was built up (rather than demanding a big sum immediately). For example if you hadn't had a bill for 10 months, you could get 10 months to repay it.
Energy suppliers can’t back-bill you for energy you used more than 12 months ago, as long as they were at fault – for example, by not sending a bill when you asked, or billing you incorrectly. Find out more about your rights on energy back-billing.
The only exception is if you prevent your supplier from taking or receiving accurate meter readings – by tampering with your meter, for example.
Don’t wait for your energy supplier to get in touch. Contact it when you know you’re struggling to pay your bills to stop a big debt building up.
If you're getting into debt trying to keep up with household bills, see our guide on how to deal with debt for practical advice. Other sources of support include:
Local energy grants
Go to your local council’s website to find out if it runs any schemes that you’re eligible for. You will find your council’s website through Gov.co.uk.
Visit Simple Energy Advice’s website and type in your postcode to find out if there are any additional grants you are entitled to. These include Coldbusters, Home Energy Loan Plan and Home Improvement Loan.
Prepayment meter vouchers
If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, you may be able to receive a fuel voucher. These are codes given to households via email, letters or text messages.
The vouchers can be used as credit to your gas card or electricity key. They are worth up to £49 of credit on their bills, and can be received by each household up to three times per year to pay for gas, heating bills or electricity arrears.
Fuel vouchers can be used at shops with PayPoint or Payzone as well as at a Post Office branch. They have to be used within three months of you receiving them.
Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - find your local council on Gov.co.uk.