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You might be able to get help if you’re struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. The help you get depends on:

  • how you pay for your energy

  • the type of energy you use

  • if you claim benefits

 

Check if you can get a fuel voucher

If you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter, you might be able to get a fuel voucher.

You'll get the voucher as a code in a letter, text message or email.

You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don't have one of these, contact your supplier to get one.

Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - find your local council on GOV.UK

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You can use a fuel voucher at:

To use your voucher you’ll need to take:

  • the code and instructions

  • some form of ID - for example, your passport or a bill with your name and address

If you have a smart prepayment meter you can also add the fuel voucher credit to your account online. To do this, follow the instructions on your voucher.

Check your fuel voucher to see when it expires. You might have to use it within 15 days.

If you have problems using your voucher, contact the organisation that gave it to you - you should be able to find their contact information on the instructions.

 

If you don’t use gas or electricity to heat your home

If you can’t afford to buy fuel, you might be able to get financial help. You might be eligible if you:

  • rely on oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal or wood as your main source of heating

  • aren’t on the gas grid

You’ll need to show that you can't heat your home because you can't afford to buy fuel - or you might not be able to afford it soon.

Talk to an adviser if you need help. Your local Citizens Advice will need to apply for you.

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Check if you can sign up to the Priority Services Register

You can get extra help from your gas and electricity supplier by signing up to the Priority Services Register. You can sign up if you’re either:

  • of State Pension age

  • disabled or have a long-term health condition

  • considered ‘vulnerable’ by your energy network

You could be classed as vulnerable if you're disabled or have a long-term health condition. Your energy network might also consider you vulnerable if you:

  • don't speak or read English well

  • have children under 5 years old or are pregnant

  • have no sense of smell or would struggle to smell gas

Check if you're eligible to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

If you’re on the Priority Services Register your energy supplier can:

  • make your call a priority when you contact them

  • give their engineers a password if they visit or contact you - so you know they’re genuine

  • move your prepayment meter if you struggle to get to it

 

Signing up to the Priority Services Register 

You’ll need to fill out the form on your electricity operator’s website - this is who owns and operates the electricity cables in your area. Your electricity operator is different from your electricity supplier, who sends your bills.

You can check who your electricity network operator is on the Power Cut 105 website. You'll need to know the postcode of your property. 

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If you pay your landlord for energy

If your landlord gets a discount on energy from a government scheme, they must pass on a fair amount of the discount to you.

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If your home is on a heat network

Heat network suppliers must pass on a fair amount of any discount they get from the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme to you.

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Grants to help pay off energy debt

If you’re behind with your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to help you pay off your debt. This might be from your energy company or a charitable trust.

Check which grants you can apply for.

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Grants for energy-saving home improvements

You might be able to get help with the cost of things like insulation, a new boiler or improvements to your heating.

Check if you can get help making energy-saving improvements to your home.

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Local energy grants

You might be able to find grants or schemes run by your local council. You can try searching on your local council’s website for energy grants. Find your local council's website on GOV.UK.

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Rewards for reducing energy use at set times

You might be able to earn rewards this winter for using less electricity at certain times. This is through a scheme called the Demand Flexibility Service, which is running from November 2023 to March 2024. 

You’ll need to have a smart meter in your home or have a business account with half-hourly meter readings to be eligible for the scheme.

If you’re eligible and your supplier is part of the scheme, they should be in touch to tell you how to sign up. You can also use some apps to take part without involving your supplier. 

Check if your supplier and which apps are part of the Demand Flexibility Service on the National Grid website. Click on the registered providers list.

Your supplier or app provider will contact you before each event to let you know when you should use less electricity. The events generally last an hour and run at the peak time for energy use, between 4pm and 7pm. 

Earning the most from the scheme

At the times your supplier asks you to use less electricity, you should avoid using the appliances that use the most energy, including:

  • tumble dryer

  • dishwasher

  • washing machine

  • electric shower

  • electric oven

Don’t stop using essential appliances like your fridge freezer or heating. It’s very important to stay warm and healthy. There’s no need to turn your lights off either - lightbulbs don’t use much electricity.

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