As energy prices rise, more and more households will struggle this winter pay the bills. If you’re struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills, there are some solutions to help.
For customers in Wales, England and Scotland, energy regulator Ofgem will raise its price cap to £3,549 from 1 October (currently £1,971). And if you’re on a pre-payment meter, you’ll be paying £3,608 (currently £2,107). This means some energy bills could almost double
If you are struggling to pay this, Citizens' Advice says the first thing you should do is to contact your supplier to discuss ways to pay what you owe them, pointing out that they have to help you come to a solution. They say: "You should try to negotiate a deal that works for both of you."
Here are how the different energy customers say they can help struggling customers:
Octopus Energy
The company says that if you are having difficulty making energy payments, you should contact them as soon as possible on 0808 164 1088 to discuss options.
A statement on the company's website says: "Once you’ve told us you’re having difficulties making payments we can advise how to use your energy more efficiently and may be able to offer solutions."
They could include:
- Short term deferment of payment
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Agreeing a debt repayment plan
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Agreeing a regular instalment plan for future bills
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Potentially arranging for payments to be taken directly from your benefits using the Fuel Direct Scheme, if you are on certain means-tested benefits
They also say that if you don’t have a prepayment meter and have turned down their proposals to help you in finding a payment solution, then they may "offer to install a prepayment meter where it is safe and reasonably practicable to do so".
The statement adds: "We’ll try everything in our power to contact you and resolve your issue before we consider disconnecting your supply, and won’t disconnect you in winter if you are on our Priority Services Register.
"We’ll do everything we reasonably can to help, however we have the right to disconnect your supply as a last resort once we’ve exhausted all other options. In addition, we’ll report missed payments to credit reference agencies, which may make it harder for you to get credit in the future."
Ovo Energy
The company urges customers having difficulty paying bills to contact them on 0800 0699 831.
They say they can work out a payment plan, fit a prepayment meter at your home, from sister company Boost, so you can pay it back, a little at a time.
You can also apply online to the OVO Energy Fund and they may be able to give you a one-off payment to your energy account.
You can apply if you:
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Have, or used to have, an account with OVO Energy
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Have a debt on your gas or electricity account of at least £150
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Earn less than £16,190 a year
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Have a valid reason affecting your ability to pay
If your application to the OVO Energy Fund is successful, they also offer a one-hour phone call with an energy advisor.
E.On
The energy giant says that if there is debt on the account, there are a few ways they can help, and customers should call them on 0345 301 5897 or email the Debt Team at debtexperts@eonenergy.com.
Ways they can help include:
- Setting up a monthly direct debit payment to spread repayment
- May be able to delay the first payment instalment
- Setting up a payment plan with varying instalment amounts
- Installing a Pay As You Go meter.
British Gas
The company says that last year, the helped more 300,000 customers manage their debt. You can find out if you can pay your bill by reduced instalments, by calling 0333 202 9804.
If you’re a Pay As You Go customer and use a key, card or online payment to top up your meter, and used up all the Emergency Credit, you may be entitled to Additional Support Credit. This will help keep you on supply, but you’ll need to pay back any credit owed.
If you’re receiving Government help and repaying a debt to British Gas, you can check if the Fuel Direct scheme can help, by allowing you to pay a manageable weekly amount straight from your benefits.
If you’re a credit customer and pay your bill by Direct Debit or on receipt of your bill you can use a different payment method. Direct Debit is cheaper than paying on receipt of your bill as you get a Direct Debit discount, which is taken off your unit rate and standing charge.
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