ENERGY bills are set to rise again next year in a blow for millions of households – but there’s help at hand.
Regulator Ofgem confirmed last month the cost of yearly energy bills will go up by around £21 to £1,738 from January 1, under the price cap.
This will only affect those on a dual fuel bill and not on fixed deals, while if you are impacted your bill could go up more or less based on your usage.
Luckily, there is help at hand as a number of suppliers are willing to wipe your energy bill debt if you’ve fallen into arrears.
Others will match any repayments you are making to help you clear debt quicker.
It comes after Ofgem announced plans that would see some customers have their energy debts wiped or repayments matched.
Millions of energy customers will also get access to “no standing charge” tariffs under the plans.
For now, here are all the suppliers that will wipe your energy debt or match repayments.
In October, E.ON Next announced a giant package of support for customers through its Winter Support Scheme.
The energy supplier said it is contacting customers who are eligible for help through the scheme, with 60,000 in total qualifying.
Households are being contacted by post, email, phone and text.
Some customers are in line for a £250 cash grant they can put towards their energy bills.
Others can have their energy debt wiped if they are struggling to pay for bills.
You can find out more via www.eonnext.com/blog/winter-affordability-support-scheme.
Earlier this year British Gas launched its You Pay We Pay scheme which matches energy payments for struggling customers.
The £15million scheme is offering help to tens of thousands who are being contacted by the firm. If you qualify you don’t need to apply.
The firm will match customers’ repayments for six months up to £100 a month.
For example, a customer paying £100 a month will pay £600 over six months with British Gas applying a £600 credit on their account for free.
Scottish Power customers struggling with energy arrears might be able to get help clearing or reducing it through the firm’s Hardship Fund.
The debt is wiped or reduced by crediting the customer’s energy account.
Whether you qualify for help depends as you are assessed first, however you may be eligible if you are a low income household or are on a number of benefits, including:
To apply, you’ll need to contact a debt agency like StepChange via www.stepchange.org.
Utility Warehouse customers can have their energy debt wiped up to the value of £1,000 or £2,000 depending on their circumstances.
The support comes via the Customer Support Scheme and Hardship Fund which was first launched in 2023.
But the help is offered on an individual basis with Citizens Advice Plymouth determining who is eligible.
You can find contact details for Citizens Advice Plymouth via www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk.
Octopus Energy‘s Octo Assist Fund offers struggling customers grants to put towards their energy bills or debt write-offs.
Help is offered on an individual basis meaning the amount you could get off depends on your circumstances.
You might also be eligible for other help through the Octo Assist Fund including free electric blankets or heat loss cameras which identify draught hot spots.
You can find more details about the fund via www.octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist.
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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