As energy prices across the UK continue to overwhelm household bills, there are a range of support grants available for customers who are struggling to pay.
Prices show no signs of slowing down - with household energy bills expected to get a lot more expensive for everyone from next April. The current energy price cap for a typical use bill is set at £2,500 a year but is predicted to rise again to £4,350 in April as the Government lifts the two year price cap, set just a month ago.
All households will be receiving £400 over the next six months in the Government’s energy bills support scheme. But as the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt scales back on the Government’s energy support, there are other options available to customers.
READ MORE: British Gas giving away £1,500 for energy debt but there's a strict criteria
The majority of UK energy providers offer support to customers, from helping pay bills, looking at ways to reduce energy costs or setting up a price guarantee with providers individually.
We’ve put together a list of energy providers and charities that have additional support schemes in place.
£1,500 from British Gas
British Gas offers up to £1,500 through its 'Individuals and Families Fund’. It helps customers pay off energy bill debt for customers who have less than £1,000 in savings, and you don’t have to be a customer to qualify.
The criteria is quite strict as grantees must pay more than 10% of their income on an energy bill but considering the predicted price cap is to rise to £4,350, a lot more people will qualify now than ever before.
E.ON
The E.ON Next Energy Fund initiative has been set up to help EON customers receive extra support. Its Energy Fund could help customers pay bills and replace old, non-energy efficient appliances which would save money in the long run. This is available on its website, here.
E.ON also helps homeowners get set up so that they can apply for the Government's Green Home Grant. This gives money to home owners who prove to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in their homes. But it mainly applies to newer and more cost-effective systems and boilers, which is why customers can register their interest with E.ON.
Shell Energy
Shell has a dedicated landing page - ‘I'm struggling to pay my bill. What should I do? ’ - where they set out how customers can be supported, from offering free energy-efficient advice as well as various debt repayment plans.
Shell has outlined various different schemes and grants to help customers who are struggling to pay their energy bill, including access to its £20 million it has set aside for support grants.
Its Fuel Direct Scheme is also available to households who receive benefits. Under this scheme the DWP will take money each week to the value of the current Fuel Direct rate directly from your benefits. The money is then paid to Shell for the gas or electricity debt and current usage.
Other support options available for Shell Energy customers include short-term payment deferments, paying back energy debt on an agreed repayment plan and setting out an instalment plan for regular bills. All of these options help customers break down the costs over a few months.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy has support available through its £15m assistance fund, ‘Octo Assist’, for customers struggling to pay rising energy costs. To get access to the support customers should fill out the financial assistance form, here.
The team looks at what customers are earning and how much of their income is spent on the household's energy bill. From here a budget and payment plan can be set up.
Bulb's £150 grant
Customers can get a £150 grant through Bulb’s Energy Fund. And as well as the money towards paying the bill, the grant also wipes off any debt of up to £2,000. Although because of this, spaces do fill up quickly, customers should nevertheless check its website regularly.
Because of this Bulb have also partnered with Turn2Us, an independent charity, and forward any customers who can’t get financial help on the Energy Fund to the charity. Turn2Us can help struggling customers find a grant through charitable funds. You don’t have to be a Bulb customer to do this, any customers who can’t get help through their energy provider can enquire for help.
EDF's Support Fund
If the Government’s Energy support fund isn’t helping make ends meet when it comes to energy costs, customers can get an additional grant through EDF’s Customer Support Fund.
Additionally the provider also helps by giving out more energy efficient white goods, fridges, freezers and cookers, that will help customers save on day-to-day electricity costs, customers can apply through their debt advice page as long as they have their account number and debt balance.
Customers are also eligible to have a smart meter fitted into their home for free with EDF. This way customers and EDF can set out a clearer way to help households budget and agree on a plan to repay smaller debt repayments. Doing this also allows customers to set up an emergency £10 credit if their smart meter falls below £1. Installation appointments can be booked here.
OVO Energy's payment freeze
From October 1 OVO energy launched its £50 Customer Support Package which includes a variety of steps to help pay heating bills. One crucial one is the ‘payment holiday for debt repayment’ . This allows all prepaid customers to pay off their current heating bill and not worry about paying back previous debt this winter.
It is similar to a payment freeze on already occurring debt, meaning customers can use money coming in to pay rising bill costs and repay the debt during the warmer months when it doesn’t cost as much to heat the home.
OVO has previously helped customers pay rising bills through its ‘Let’s Talk Energy Fund’ this helps customers pay for boiler repairs and replacements. It is currently closed but expected to reopen at the end of October. Customers can register, here.
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