Managing energy and heating costs

If you are worried about paying your energy bills, talk to your supplier and find out what help they can offer. You can also visit their website. If you tell your supplier you have cancer, they may be able to give you extra support, for example through an energy saving scheme.

The rate you pay for your energy is called the tariff. There are usually fixed-rate tariffs and standard variable tariffs. Your supplier can explain what tariff you are on and advise if they have a cheaper alternative.

They can also look at what support is available if you fall into arrears. For example, they can explore alternative payment options to help you spread the cost. Or they can add you to their Priority Service register if you have someone vulnerable living in the household.

Changing your energy supplier can be an option, but you may need to consider the following before making a decision:

• debt balance
• exit fees
• timing.

Fuel suppliers can reject a change in suppliers if you have a debt balance owing.

If you are affected by cancer and live in England, Scotland or Wales, your supplier should put you on the Priority Services Register. This is a list of people who need extra support.

Some benefits of being on the register may include:

• access to free extra services
• notice of any planned power cuts and more help during power cuts
• your energy not being switched off if you fall behind on payments
• having someone come and help if you have difficulty giving a meter reading – for example, if you have mobility problems.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and Northern Ireland Water have critical care registers. These registers are for people who rely on electricity or water for their health needs. Customers on the registers get extra support if their power or water supply stops working.

Energy companies in Northern Ireland also have customer care registers. Customers who have a disability, older people or those with certain health needs can join these registers to get free extra services. Contact the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland to compare the extra services offered by different companies.

Your energy supplier may allow you to set up a regular payment plan. This means you pay a fixed amount on a regular basis. For example, you could pay every week or month. Regular payments can help you spread the cost of your energy bills and budget for them.

You could save money and keep track of your energy costs if you:

• pay your bills monthly by direct debit
• manage your energy account online with paperless bills.

It is a good idea to get several quotes for fuel if your home is not connected to a mains gas supply.

If you use heating oil, you may save money by stocking up on fuel early in autumn. This is often cheaper than waiting until winter. But make sure the delivery charge is not higher than your saving. You may also get discounts if you buy heating oil as part of a group, such as an oil club. You can find out if there are oil clubs near you.

To spread the cost, you could pay by direct debit or set up a monthly budget plan. Ask your heating oil supplier if they offer this.

If you use solid fuel or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), it may also help to:

• compare prices
• stock up on fuel in the autumn
• speak to your supplier if you are struggling to pay your bills.

There are several government payments to help you with higher bills during the winter months. You can find out how to apply for these at GOV.UK website or, if you live in Northern Ireland, nidirect.gov.uk. These links may also be helpful:

• Energy Grants Calculator
• Energy Saving Grants if you live in Northern Ireland.

This is a government scheme to help older people keep warm during winter. The scheme is changing in 2024.

It will still be available to eligible people. You must be over a certain age, live in England or Wales, and get certain means-tested benefits.

Find out more about the Winter Fuel Payment and check if you need to claim or call our Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.

If you get certain benefits, you may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment when a winter is very cold. This is available if the temperature is 0˚C (32˚F) or lower for 7 days in a row.

You get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. Cold Weather Payments are automatically made on top of your usual benefits. Eligibility may depend on where you live. If you are eligible, you do not need to apply. The money will be paid automatically.

If you live in Scotland, the cold weather payment is called Winter Heating Payment.

This government policy helps vulnerable customers and people on a low income heat and insulate their homes. It gives certain people a one-off discount of £150 on their electricity bills between September and March.

All the main energy suppliers must give this discount. Some small suppliers also offer it. If your supplier provides both your gas and electricity, you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead. Ask your supplier if this is possible.

If you are affected by cancer, you may get the Warm Home Discount. This depends on your circumstances and which supplier you use. To apply, contact your energy supplier. If your supplier does not give you the discount or does not offer it, you could consider changing your supplier.

To find out more, speak with your energy supplier or visit GOV.UK website for more information about the Warm Home Discount.

You can still apply for the discount if you have a prepayment or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. If you live in a park home, you can apply through the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

Different areas of the UK have different criteria for qualifying for the Warm Home Discount:

• England and Wales

  If you are on Pension Means-Tested Benefits, you will be automatically awarded the Warm Home Discount. If you are on Working-Age Means-Tested Benefits and have a house likely to feel the cold, you will also be automatically awarded this discount. There is no need to apply.

• Scotland

  You automatically qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you get the Guarantee Credit part of the benefit Pension Credit. You can apply for the discount if you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria. You can only apply at certain times of the year when the scheme is open.

• Northern Ireland

  Energy suppliers in Northern Ireland do not offer this discount. You may get financial help under the Affordable Warmth Scheme instead.

If you get benefits and are struggling with energy or water bills, contact the Jobcentre Plus or your local pension centre. With your agreement, they may be able to arrange to pay these bills directly from your benefits by taking a fixed amount each month.

This scheme was paused in April 2022. This means that the suppliers cannot currently approach the Jobcentre Plus to arrange payments from your benefits. If you would like to pay your bills straight from your benefits, you will need to contact the Jobcentre Plus yourself to arrange it.

If you pay your bills under this scheme, you should not get any final payment demands from your supplier.

There are lots of different ways of saving energy at home. This may include:

• draught proofing and insulating your home
• saving through having heating controls
• schemes from the energy companies and from the government which can help with energy costs
• keeping a check on your energy bills
• using a smart meter to look at how you are using energy.

You can speak to your supplier about these, or to the following organisations:

• in England, Simple Energy Advice on 0800 444 202
• in Scotland, Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282
• in Wales, Nest on 0808 808 2244
• in Northern Ireland, NI Energy Advice on 0800 111 4455.

We have more information about tips to help you save energy at home.