Recently the government have announced that October’s energy prices will be an average of £2500 a year. Thankfully this is no where near as high as what was originally being predicted, it is still a lot higher than last year’s prices which were around £1500.
Many people have found that their energy bills have massively increased and are finding it a struggle to cover the extra cost.
If you have found that you are struggling to pay your energy bills, you may be wondering what help there is. Here we have put together all the help that is currently available.
Money Advice services.
There are free services available online where you can get money and debt advice. A debt advisor can help talk through your money worries and help try to find a solution for you. You can find your local advice center here or money and debt information at turn2us, Stepchange or the Citizens Advice Bureau.
British Gas Energy Trust
If you are struggling with gas and electricity debts, then you may be able to apply for a grant to help clear that debt.
The individual & Families Debt write off fund is open to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers with an energy debt between £250 – £1500. The debt must apply to your primary residence and must be an active energy account.
Who can apply?
To be considered for the fund you must:
- Live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Have an electric and / or gas debt
- Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy trust within the last 2 years
- Not have savings over £1,000
- Have received money advice – this will be asked for as part of the process. This will be considered alongside household outgoings to determine if you are in or at risk of fuel poverty.
- Provide proof of household income (Please note there may be an income thresholds)
You can apply for the Individual & Families debt write off fund here
The British Gas Energy Support Fund
This is only open to British Gas customers, however many suppliers have their own support funds available to their customers, although the criteria may be different. The debt must apply to your primary residence and must be an active energy account.
Who can apply?
To be considered for the British Gas Energy Fund you must:
- Live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- You have electric and/or gas debt between £250 – £1,500; and
- You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty.
- Provide proof of all household income (please note there may be an income threshold)
- Provide an up-to-date meter reading
You can apply for the Britsh Gas Energy Fund here
If you are not a British Gas customer, you may be able to apply for an energy support fund grant with your supplier. Listed below are the energy companies currently offering support funds to their customers:
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund – apply for a grant on the Scottish Power Hardship Fund website
- Ovo Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Ovo Energy Fund website
- E.ON Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Energy Fund website
- E.ON Next Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Next Energy Fund website
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund – sign up to the priority services register to apply for a grant on the EDF Energy website
- Bulb Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Bulb Energy Fund website
- Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’ – apply for a grant on the Octopus website
Help from the Government
The government is also providing support for many people to help them through the cost-of-living crisis. Some of the support includes £400 discount on energy bills, and cost of living payments to people who are on certain benefits. You can read more about that here
Go Compare interactive energy calculator
It’s gotten more expensive for providers to buy energy, which has led to it costing more for us to power our homes. This is why GoCompare, have developed an interactive energy cost calculator tool to find out how much something costs to run. Use the calculator to pick the appliances you want to compare and select how long they’ll be in use for.
We have more information and energy saving tips available on our website
