Energy bills are set to rise again this winter - piling more misery on to households - after Ofgem finally announced its new price cap rate.
Ofgem has confirmed its energy price cap will rocket to £3,549 on October 1 for households on default tariffs who pay by direct debit.
This marks an eye-watering 80% increase from the current figure of £1,971.
Prepayment meter customers will see a bigger jump from £2,017 to £3,608, and standard credit customers are set to see bills rise from £2,100 to £3,764.
If you're worried about your energy bills, we round up eight ways to get help and cut your costs:
Are you worried about rising energy bills? Let us know: webnews@reachplc.com
1. Talk to your energy provider
The first port of call if you’re really struggling is to talk to your energy provider.
They may be able to put you on a payment plan or try to find a way to lower your bill.
It is worth checking with them if you’re being billed the right amount - particularly if you think you’re being overcharged.
You should also check if there is a lower tariff you could be moved to.
2. Check if your energy provider has a hardship fund
Most of the big energy firms have charitable hardship funds and grants that you may be eligible for if you’re struggling.
For example, British Gas has an “individuals and families” fund that can be accessed by anyone, not just its customers.
Through this scheme, you might be able to claim up to £1,500 toward paying off your energy debt.
You can see our round-up of all the energy hardship funds that are open here.
The exact eligibility criteria and help available varies between supplies.
For most hardship funds, you normally need to speak to a free debt advice service first, like Citizens Advice.
Help is normally given to those on low incomes and benefits.
You may also qualify if you have an exceptional circumstance or illness that means they have fallen behind on your bill.
3. See if you can get a grant from Turn2Us
You may also want to use the free grants search tool from debt charity Turn2Us to see what help is available where you live.
The help varies depending on where you live and again, the eligibility criteria will be different grant-to-grant.
To apply, you’ll usually need to provide evidence of your income and other information about your living situation.
4. See if you can get a Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before September 25, 1956, you could get a Winter Fuel Payment worth between £100 and £300.
You must have been living in the UK for at least one day of the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 to get the payment.
This is the qualifying week for the 2022 Winter Fuel Payments.
Winter Fuel Payments are normally issued in November or December - but can take up until March to land in accounts.
Go to Gov.uk or call 0800 731 0160 to make a claim.
5. Look out for cost of living payments
A one-off payment worth £650 is being awarded to those who claim certain means-tested benefits - including Universal Credit and Tax Credits.
There is a £150 payment being made to those who claim certain disability benefits and £300 for pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments.
Every home in England, Scotland and Wales will also receive £400 off their energy bills , spread out over six months from October.
This support package was announced by the Government back in May - and since then, the price cap predictions have increasingly worsened.
Speaking today, after the October price cap was finally confirmed, MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis said: "We are extremely in need of some Government intervention."
6. One for later this year... Warm Home Discount scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a one-off payment of £150 that is distributed directly by energy suppliers.
You should get the payment automatically if your energy supplier is part of the scheme and you, or your partner, receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit.
You may also qualify if you get a different “qualifying benefit” and you have high energy costs.
The benefits that might mean you get the Warm Home Discount are:
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
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Income Support
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Universal Credit
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Housing benefit
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Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits
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Pension Credit (Savings Credit)
You will also need to have high energy use, as well as claiming these benefits, to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme.
The deadline for submitting a claim for one of these benefits was August 21.
The Warm Home Discount scheme is currently closed - but it will reopen again in November.
7. Check if you're eligible for a Cold Weather Payment
Cold Weather Payments are worth £25 for each seven-day period when temperatures fall to zero degrees or less.
The money goes to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as pension credit or certain employment benefits.
The scheme normally starts on November 1 and ends on March 31 - so this is also one to note in your diary for later this year.
8. Speak to an energy charity for specialist advice
If you’re struggling to work out what grants or help you could be entitled to, speak to one of the specialist energy charities.
They will also be able to help you if you think you’ve been unfairly treated and want to put in a complaint.
For wider debt help, speak to:
