Households facing soaring energy costs can still knock hundreds of pounds off their bills by applying to their council or energy company.
Households are facing eye-watering rises on energy bills from today as the maximum amount firms can charge people on default tariffs is rising by an average of £693 .
Sadly, most of the big energy schemes offering money off bills shut yesterday.
These include Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments, but these will reopen in the Autumn.
British Gas also had a grant scheme open to all UK households, not just its own customers, but that has closed too.
Are you struggling with energy bills and happy to tell us your story? Message mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
However, there is still help available to make energy bills more manageable, ranging from government cash to energy bill rebates.
These are the options still open for people struggling with their energy costs.
Payments of up to £200 from the Household Support Fund
Families struggling with bills, not just energy, can apply for help through the Household Support Fund.
This is a pot of government cash which was recently topped up from £500million to £1billion by chancellor Rishi Sunak in his Spring Statement earlier this month .
It is actually controlled by local councils, and how much you get is a postcode lottery.
The government has given each council the power to decide who is eligible, and how much they get.
For example, some councils will give cash, and some will give vouchers instead that can be spent in supermarkets.
Some councils have made payments of up to £200.
You have to apply for the Household Support Fund on your local council website.
You can find your council's website using this tool.
Cash grants from your energy company
Many energy firms also have money available to help people struggling with bills.
British Gas, Bulb, Eon, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus and Ovo are all offering grants to their customers.
British Gas, for example, is giving grants between £250 and £750 to those eligible.
You can apply for these grants on the websites of each of these companies.
However, you will need to prove your financial situation to do so.
British Gas asks that you have less than £1,000 in the bank and energy debts of at least £250 to £750.
Some go a step further.
If you are with Eon or EDF they will ask to show you have already spoken to a financial adviser, approved by the Financial Conduct Authority regulator.
£150 off council tax to help with energy bills
The government is giving millions of homes £150 off their council tax bills from April to help pay for energy costs.
The rebate will apply to homes in council tax bands A, B, C or D in England and Wales - roughly 80% of properties - but not those who live in council tax bands E, F, G and H (or I as well, in Wales).
Scotland residents will also be entitled to £150 off if they are in bands A to D - but they also qualify if they're currently getting a council tax reduction as well.
If you pay council tax by direct debit you will get this cash automatically.
If you don’t pay by direct debit, then you’ll need to manually apply for the rebate through your local authority's website.
£200 energy bill loan
The government is also giving every home £200 off their energy bills this year .
You do not need to apply, and cannot opt out.
However, this is a loan, not a grant. Every home will need to repay the £200 in the form of higher energy bills in years to come.
Talk to your energy firm if you are still struggling
If your energy bill is too much to handle, talk to your energy provider.
All energy firms have to agree a payment plan you can afford if you’re worried about paying your energy bills.
Options you can ask for include a review of your payments or repayments, payment breaks or reductions, more time to pay or access to the hardship funds mentioned above.
Apply for other local grants
Depending on where you live you may be eligible for other help from local organisations.
This can take the form of money off insulation, for example, bringing down energy bills.
You can find out if you meet the criteria by entering your postcode into this online tool .
