British Gas, Octopus Energy, E.ON and EDF are offering a range of funding options for those who can't pay or are struggling to pay their energy bills.
Energy prices are rising as Ofgem confirmed that the new price cap will rise by 54 per cent, leaving thousands concerned about how they will make ends meet.
The average household energy bill will rise by an extra £693 a year. This means bills will rise from £1,277 to £1,971 per year. Prepayment customers will see an even bigger increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.
READ MORE - Eat Out Edinburgh: All the restaurants taking part in the discount scheme
Financial guru Martin Lewis has been reiterating the same advice of 'don't switch', as there are not any deals, other than ones that companies are possibly offering their current customers.
E.ON were offering a fixed tariff briefly but after Mr Lewis shared it online, they quickly took it offline.
The majority of energy firms are increasing their prices to the maximum asking price. Meanwhile Octopus Energy are increasing their default tariffs but taking off £50 for 'loyal customers'.
Energy firms have been in contact with their customers to inform them of rising costs, and in most emails a note of what to do if you can't pay is included. Most of the time the company will advise the customer to get in contact with them.
That is a good first step. There are also a range of charities and organisations that can help such as, Citizens Advice Scotland, Advice Direct Scotland, CAP, National Debt UK and StepChange.
Some energy companies may also offer funding and help pay your bills and offer advice - which is why you should go to them in the first instance.
Here is what energy companies are offering at the moment. Currently, it looks like SSE have closed their applications for funding.
British Gas
British Gas is offering extra help to customers who are struggling in the light of the fuel cap increase.
The energy provider have said they've invested £2 million into funding grants to help keep vulnerable customers keep warm in December 2021, which they say they have now added a further £2 million to.
You can see more information about the British Gas funding grants here.
Octopus Energy
For those who are struggling to pay their bills, the British energy firm have said they are doubling their hardship fund to £5 million.
Along with with the price cap rebate Octopus says it is providing £50million in support of its customers.
Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy Group, said: "We’re gutted to be increasing prices like this, but with the cost of energy being up to five times higher than last year it’s absolutely unavoidable.
"We’ve already absorbed £100 million of the costs on behalf of customers, and we’re choosing to absorb another £50 million here by keeping costs for existing flexible tariff customers well below the cap - and much lower than any other large company."
You can see more information here.
Scottish Power
Scottish Power offer a hardship fund for people who struggle to pay their energy bill. The Fund can help by clearing or reducing arrears by crediting a customer’s ScottishPower energy account.
According to Scottish Power, you could qualify for help from the ScottishPower Hardship Fund if you meet the terms and conditions and you’re receiving the following.
- Income Support,
- Job Seekers Allowance,
- Pension Credit, or
- Employment and Support Allowance
You could also qualify if you have a low household income, or if there are special circumstances which could make you eligible for example you have experienced an income reduction due to illness.
For more information on how to apply, visit Scottish Power here.
Scottish Power also run Priority Services Register that provides a range of services to help you manage your energy account if you need extra support. And, they’re available at no additional charge.
The Priority Services Register is there to help:
- Those in debt through the provision of help and advice. We can also ensure you are on our lowest cost tariff and providing external sources of help
- The elderly
- Someone deaf
- Visually impaired
- Someone ill or disabled
E.ON
If you're a customer with E.ON, the E.ON Energy Fund has been set up to help the most vulnerable existing or previous customers.
The Fund can help pay current or final E.ON energy bill arrears to customers living in England, Scotland or Wales. It can also help E.ON customers by providing replacement household items such as cookers, fridges, fridge-freezers and washing machines – and also help to replace gas boilers.
But they state on their website that due to accounts being moved onto E.ON Next, applications are no longer open.
They say: "As we're shortly moving all accounts to E.ON Next, we're no longer accepting applications for our Energy Fund. Once your account has moved to E.ON Next you'll be able to apply.
"If you're struggling to pay for your energy, you can call us on 0345 052 000 to explore your options."
See more here.
EDF Energy
EDF Energy have partnered with Charis to offer grants and support to customers who are facing financial difficulties and are unable to pay their bills.
Their Customer Support Fund is there to help those with managing bills and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.
You can find out how to apply here.
How are you feeling about the rising energy costs? Let us know in the comments.
