Electricity, gas and water bills

If you are struggling to keep up with energy payments, there is help available. To find information about benefits, grants and discounts you can get if you’re in financial difficulty and the range of support available, visit the Government’s Cost of Living Support page.

The government introduced the Energy Price Guarantee to help households with their energy bills. The Ofgem energy price cap is also in place to make sure that energy price are fair and reflect the cost of energy. Remember, the price cap is based on typical household energy use and if you use more, you will pay more. Check out the calculator on MoneySavingExpert for a clearer idea on what you’ll pay based on your general household use.

There are also other ways you could get extra support or reduce your energy bills:

Speak to your energy provider

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, contact your supplier as soon as possible. They may be able to help by making sure you’re on the cheapest tariff. Many energy suppliers also have hardship funds to help their customers who are in debt, and some will loan you special equipment to help you find the heat loss hotspots in your home so you can make quick fixes to reduce your bill.

The Government has more advice, if you need help because you:

• pay for your energy as part of your rent or fee
• get your heating and hot water from a heat network
• need help for your business

Brent Well and Warm

Support is available for residents who are finding it difficult to keep their home warm or manage their energy bills. Our partners, Groundwork, can provide:

• in depth energy advice consultations
• home visits where needed
• practical energy-saving tips
• guidance on financial support and available grants

Eligibility

You can refer yourself, and support is available to any Brent household meeting one or more of the following criteria::

• a person aged 60 or over
• a family with children under 12
• anyone with a long-term physical or mental health condition
• anyone who is pregnant

Ways to get in touch

If you need more information, you can:

• visit the Green Doctors website
• email brentwarm@groundwork.org.uk
• or call 0300 365 3005

Energy saving for your home

You could save money on your bills by making your home more energy efficient. Depending on your situation, you may find the following helpful:

• energy grants and ways to save energy in your home
• help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
• Green Deal: energy saving for your home
• The Great British Insulation Scheme if your property is within a certain energy rating and Council Tax band
• The Home Upgrade Grant if you own a home in England with no boiler

Financial support

You may qualify for financial support towards the cost of your energy bills if you are receiving benefits or certain tax credits:

• Cold Weather payment you could get a payment of £25 for every seven days of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March
• Warm Home Discount scheme you could get £150 off your energy bills
• Winter fuel payment you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills

Get free advice and support

You can find advice on managing debt problems and budgeting through the:

• Money helper service
• National debtline
• Use the Money Helper budgeting tool

If you are on a low-income or receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for a Green Doctor appointment. A Green Doctor will help you find ways to save money on your energy bills while keeping your home warm.

If you are struggling to keep your home warm, you can visit a local warm space. These welcoming places, such as your local library, offer a safe and comfortable environment to stay warm during the winter months.

Disability Energy Support

Scope offers free energy and water advice to any disabled person or households where disabled people live. They can help with managing energy debt, fuel vouchers and accessing energy benefits, grants and trusts.

If you use an oxygen concentrator at home, you can get a rebate for the electricity it uses from the company that supplies your concentrator.

To find out more, you can contact:

• BOC Home Oxygen Service. Electricity rebates call free on: 0800 136 603
• Air Liquide Healthcare. Electricity refund, call free on: 0800 781 9939

If you're in debt or arrears on your energy bills

You could be eligible for emergency financial support towards your energy bills through the Resident Support Fund.

If you are in arrears on your utility bills, you may be eligible for a 60-day period of protection during which your creditors can’t add interest or fees to your debts and can’t take enforcement action, known as breathing space.

The National Debtline has created a factsheet which provides further information on dealing with arrears on your gas and electricity bills.

If your energy supplier is threatening to cut off your energy supply, Citizens Advice has information on what you can do.

If you're on a pre-payment meter

If you can't afford to top up your pre-payment meter, Citizens Advice has advice on what you can do. You can also contact a Citizens Advice energy adviser on 0808 223 1133.

You should also speak to your supplier, who will be able to offer you temporary credit. You will have to pay this back. Find out who your supplier is if you’re not sure.

Water bills

You may qualify for financial support towards the cost of your water bill. Contact your supplier to find out more:

• Thames Water
• Affinity Water