Reducing heating costs in winter: Can your energy supplier help you?

A charity has warned that the winter fuel payment cut will impact 1.5 million pensioners this year.

Accordingly Age Britainthose with low incomes who simply miss out new admission criteria People who have unavoidably high energy costs due to a disability or illness must expect “significant difficulties”.

The government handoutThe scheme, which pays up to £300 per household and is designed to help pensioners pay their energy bills during the colder months of the year, was previously available to anyone who had reached it state retirement age. But starting this winter it will happen Means test.

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This has led to fears that many older people on the brink of shutdown could be trapped in freezing houses this winter – especially given this reality Energy bills are expected to rise by 10% from October 1st. But that The government has argued that the cuts are necessary how they are confronted with one Black hole in the £22bn budget. A U-turn appears unlikely, despite unions coming under pressure at Labor’s conference this week.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may not be able to turn on the heating, it may be worth contacting the energy supplier to find out about their support. Most providers offer programs aimed at vulnerable consumers.

So what help is there? We’ve brought together all the support available from the UK’s largest providers.

Could your utility close the winter fuel payment gap?

If you are concerned about your energy bills, the first thing you should do is contact your supplier. They are obliged to advise or help you with your affordability questions. Many also offer additional support that you may be eligible for.

To find out what support energy suppliers are offering this winter, Money Week has reached out to the UK’s largest providers. Here’s what they had to say.

British gas

The country’s largest energy provider points to two programs it has running that could help struggling customers. The “You Pay: We Pay” initiative, launched in June, is aimed at people whose accounts are in debt or at risk of falling into debt.

The £15 million scheme promises to double payments for those who can afford it to pay off their debts. Assuming the customer is able to deposit £500 for six months, British Gas deposits the same amount into their account.

British Gas customers who want to access this support must not only meet or approach the definition of fuel poverty in each of the UK’s three countries, but also take or receive debt advice. They must also have been working with the supplier for at least six months and agree on a payment amount before they can receive support.

The other scheme offered is from the British Gas Energy Trust – the non-profit arm of the Centrica-owned company. The Individual and Families Fund offers grants for prepayment and credit customers who have a certain amount of debt on their account (at least £50 on a prepayment meter and £250 on a credit meter). You must not have received a grant from the fund in the last two years and households in Northern Ireland are exempt.

Octopus energy

Octopus has extended its £30 million grant“Octo Assist” fund to cover those most affected by winter fuel payment cuts. Lower income pensioner households who are not eligible for pension credit can apply to receive an account credit of £50, £100 or £200.

Applications can be submitted online, by telephone or in writing. If you submit an application, you may be able to access other help, such as: B. on payment defaults or an exemption from basic fees. The supplier says it will also point out government benefits these households could miss out on.

In addition to its support fund, Octopus distributes up to 20,000 free electric blankets to its neediest customers. The supplier says this move could save the average household £150 on their bills as the blankets are cost-effective to run.

Thermal imaging cameras are also being loaned to households to help them detect and eliminate drafts, resulting in a reduction in their energy consumption. Another initiative is the Energy Helper program, where you receive a home visit from an expert who can advise you on how to make your home more energy efficient.

E.on Next

E.on did not respond to our inquiries. But it is The website states that customers are having problems can access its ‘Energy Fund‘. If you can demonstrate that you are trying to stabilize your finances, this assistance will initially prevent the amount of debt on your account from increasing. After a certain amount of time, your debt may be paid off in full. The supplier may also be able to provide you with energy efficient appliances as well as smaller items such as hot water bottles and electric blankets.

Last winter, the utility offered vulnerable customers discounted energy and wrote off their debts. There was no word on whether that program would return this year.

Ovo

Starting next Tuesday (October 1st), Ovo will launch its “Additional support package‘ for the colder months of the year. This will be open to those struggling to pay bills, including some who are now expected to forego their winter fuel payment.

The fund will be used to reduce direct debits, provide emergency loans and offer cheaper payment plans. Customers can also receive free energy-saving items such as electric throws, mattress toppers and energy saving kits.

Some may receive comprehensive efficiency support, which may include attic insulation and a new boiler or heat pump. For prepaid customers, Ovo says it will provide payment holidays and limit emergency credit to an increased amount of £15.

EDF energy

EDF told Money Week that customers who have problems should contact her.Customer Support Fund‘. This is similar to the support offered by British Gas, in that people can receive grants or support from the supplier to manage the debt on their energy account – as long as they are in the process of taking debt advice. The fund also offers to replace inefficient or broken household appliances.

The provider also operates a “warmer winter shop” where customers can receive items and “energy efficiency packages” free of charge. In addition, it has pledged to support “target groups” with loans, prepayment vouchers and debt settlements. More information on winter support will be available in the coming weeks.

Specifically for retirees, it says partnering with IncomeMax — a financial assistance company that also works with several other energy providers — can help them identify government benefits and tax credits they’re eligible for and how to claim them.

Scottish power

Pensioners who get their energy from Scottish Power can receive support from the supplier.Hardship fund‘. Although it is primarily aimed at people receiving certain forms of benefits, you may be eligible if your household income is less than £18,723 a year or there are special circumstances that mean you need further support.

To access the fund you must first contact a debt advice charity such as: StepChange. You then need to contact the operator of the supplier’s cash register – Sigma connected – where you can find an application form. To receive support you must be at least £100 in debt on your account and you must agree to pay a certain amount towards your energy costs. You must also not have received any funding from the fund at any time in the last three years.

If your application is accepted, you will receive a credit that will cover some or all of the debt on your account. Sigma will contact you once the funds have been received into your account.

As further support, Scottish Power offers to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households and says it has partnerships with food banks. It also has a team of Community Liaison Officers who can visit properties across the UK to offer advice and support with energy accounts.

For Customers with advance paymentIf your meter runs out of credit, you can get emergency credit. Loan advances are also available to non-pay-as-you-go customers who use the provider’s app. These people can get it by using the “self-service” feature. The process is automated, so you don’t have to chat with an agent.

Finally, you may have access to a testing initiative in which Scottish Power is participating Warm home recipe (WHP) works with local NHS providers to identify low-income households where people live with health problems worsened by cold or damp conditions. These customers can then receive things like attic insulation and more efficient heating systems for free.

usefulness

The pay-as-you-go provider offers support through its “Helping Hand Fund‘. This offers consumers who have energy debts and have not received a subsidy from Utilita in the last three years the opportunity to pay off part or all of their energy debts.

Utilita says it will also cover its customers’ base charge costs this winter if they use little or no energy. It adds that it has a dedicated team to help customers register priority services through energy efficiency advice, account support and financial assistance. Eligible customers will also be contacted if they may be eligible for the debt relief program.

Through its partnerships with charities, the supplier adds that some customers could potentially receive new appliances and appliances, as well as a boiler upgrade or repair. The provider also says its branches across the UK offer energy advice and act as warm points of contact for everyone, whether they are a customer or not. It told Money Week where people could visit to protect themselves from the winter cold, socialize and get a free cup of tea.

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