The UK’s energy suppliers are offering extra support during the outbreak of COVID-19 - find out how your supplier can help you if you’re affected.
What support are energy suppliers providing during the Coronavirus outbreak?
The Coronavirus outbreak has caused disruption to many households across Britain, with many facing financial difficulty as they are unable to work.
On 19 March 2020, the government agreed measures with the energy industry to support vulnerable people and those affected by Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. All UK domestic energy suppliers have signed an industry agreement, setting out measures to ensure these households do not go without an energy supply at this time. While these measures were initially voluntary, all suppliers will be required to offer this extra protection from 15 December.
You can get help topping up your prepayment meter if you’re self-isolating
Many have been advised to self-isolate during the Coronavirus outbreak, including those with symptoms of the virus as well as those who have been in contact with a confirmed case of the virus. If you have a prepayment meter and you’re not able to leave the house to top it up, there’s extra help available for you.
Your supplier may allow you to nominate someone else to top up your credit. If you need someone else to top up your meter, Ofgem recommends you leave your meter box unlocked.
If you have a prepayment smart meter, you should be able to top up by phone, mobile app or online. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact your supplier.
Alternatively, your supplier may add a discretionary fund to your account or send you a pre-loaded top up card so your supply isn’t interrupted while you’re stuck at home.
If you can’t afford to top up your meter because you’re financially impacted by Coronavirus, contact your energy supplier immediately and they’ll advise you.
You can get energy bill support if you’re struggling financially
Under the new measures, households in financial distress will be supported by their energy supplier during the Coronavirus outbreak.
This could include debt repayments and bill payments being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary if you suddenly find yourself with less income as a result of the outbreak. From 15 December, suppliers must offer realistic and sustainable repayment plans to customers in debt.
If you find yourself struggling to pay your energy bills or are in debt to your energy provider, contact them to see how they can help.
Your energy supplier won’t disconnect your supply
The new measures have been brought in to ensure the most vulnerable people can still have a reliable energy supply in the case of self-isolation. As part of these plans, all energy suppliers have agreed that they will not disconnect any credit meters during the Coronavirus outbreak if households fall behind on payments.
If you’re on a prepayment meter, you should be protected against disconnection by following the measures above to ensure your meter is topped up – just contact your supplier if you’re struggling.
Other schemes to help with your energy bills
As well as ensuring suppliers offer extra support during the Coronavirus outbreak, the government also offers a number of schemes to help people who might struggle with their energy bills in general.
Government initiatives like the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment can help towards energy bills. Use our interactive tool to find out more about these schemes and which ones you could be eligible for:
What energy schemes are you eligible for?
Find out if you're entitled to money off your energy bills with the government's Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment.
Were you born on or before 5 October 1954?
Do you receive a State Pension?
Do you receive income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)?
Do you get any of these means tested benefits?
You're not entitled to government schemes
Do you receive the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit?
You're not eligible but you could save by switching
You might be eligible for the Warm Home Discount
Do you receive the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit?
You could be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for:
:snowflake: Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount (if your supplier offers it), the Green Homes Grant and the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake:
You could be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you have any of the following?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, Warm Home Discount :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You should be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment. It's also worth checking with your supplier if their Warm Home Discount Scheme applies to you.
Do you receive Universal Credit?
Do any of the following also apply?
You're not eligible for any government schemes. But you could save by switching! And if you're in debt, here's what you need to do.
Do you have a child under 5 or a disabled child living with you?
You're not eligible for any government schemes. But you can still save by switching - and if you're in debt, here's what you should do.
You should get the Warm Home Discount - if your supplier offers it! You will need to apply for it. As you're part of the 'broader group' of eligibility, places on the scheme are limited.
Do you receive support for mortgage interest?
You should be able to get the Cold Weather Payment
You're not eligible for government schemes
Do you receive support for mortgage interest?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you receive support for mortgage interest?
Is your gross annual household income less than £16,190?
You should be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you receive Child Tax Credits or the Universal Credit equivalent?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you have any children under 5 living with you, or any children that receive disability benefits?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, the Warm Home Discount (if your supplier offers it) and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Is your gross annual household income less than £16,190?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you receive Child Tax Credits or the Universal Credit equivalent?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you have a child under 5 living with you or a child receiving disability benefits?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Warm Home Discount (if your supplier offers it) :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant
You should be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment
You're not eligible for any government schemes
Is your gross household income £16,190 or less?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Is your gross household income £16,190 or less?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you receive Child Tax Credits?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you have a child under 5 living with you or a child receiving disability benefits?
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, Warm Home Discount (if your supplier offers it) :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you receive child tax credits?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Do you have a child under 5 living with you or a child receiving disability benefits?
You could be eligible for the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
You could be eligible for the Warm Home Discount (if your supplier offers it) :snowflake: and the Green Homes Grant :house_with_garden:
Tips for saving energy at home
You might find that you’re using more energy than usual because you’re spending more time at home – whether you’re self-isolating, working from home, or you’ve got children who are unable to go to school.
Read our top energy saving tips to try and conserve energy and reduce your bills if you think you’ll be using more energy at home than usual during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Read more …
- Get help paying your energy bills
- Priority Services Register - energy related services for elderly and disabled
- What to do if you're in debt to your energy supplier