Not being able to afford to heat or power your home can be very stressful. Find out what help’s available from your supplier if you’re struggling, as well as other ways to get back on track.

1. How your energy supplier can help

If you’re struggling to make gas or electricity payments, talk to your supplier. They must work with you to agree a payment plan that suits you, which might include more affordable payments, a payment break, or suggesting charitable grants or hardship funds.

If you’re on a pre-payment meter and worried about topping up, Citizens Advice has more guidance if you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter.

In Northern Ireland, you can get information about emergency credit if you’re on a prepayment meter at PowerNI. 

You can also read our guide What to do if your energy bill is high

2. Check if you qualify for extra government help

If you receive benefits, the government has schemes to help you to pay fuel bills: Warm Home Discount – get £150 off your electricity or gas bills. 

To find out if you qualify, call 0800 030 9322 or visit GOV.UK

The discount isn’t available in Northern Ireland, but if you live there you might qualify for the Affordable Warmth Scheme

Cold Weather Payment – if the weather gets really cold and you already get some benefits, you might qualify for cold weather payments worth £25. Find out more in our blog Who is entitled to cold weather payments?

Winter Fuel Payment – if you’ve reached State Pension age and receive Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit, you’ll also qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300. 

You can find out more about who is eligible in our Pension Credit is now key to keeping your Winter Fuel Payment blog. 

3. Local help to pay energy bills

If you’re without gas or electricity, your local welfare scheme might help:

• If you live in England, contact your local council to see if they have a welfare assistance scheme. Find your local council on GOV.UK

• If you live in Scotland, find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund

• If you live in Wales, find out more about the Discretionary Assistance Fund

• If you live in Northern Ireland and struggling to pay your energy bills, get advice from nidirect

4. Extra support if you’re vulnerable

Your energy supplier must give you extra support if you’re vulnerable. For example, if you:

• have a disability or long-term health condition

• have mental health needs

• have hearing or sight loss

• are pregnant or have children under the age of five

• are recovering from an injury or have just been released from hospital

• don’t speak or read English well, or have other communication needs

• have reached State Pension age.

There could be other reasons why you might be vulnerable, so if you’re not sure you can ask your supplier. It’s a good idea to sign up to your supplier and network operators.

5. Other organisations that can help with fuel bills

The organisations below can advise on what you need to do if you’ve missed a payment, the action your supplier can take and why it’s important to clear any gas or electricity debt as soon as you can:

• If you’re in England or Wales and behind with your energy bills, visit Citizens Advice or call Adviceline (England) on 0800 144 8848 or Advicelink (Wales) on 0800 702 2020

• If you’re in Scotland, visit Citizens Advice Scotland or call 0131 550 1000

• If you’re in Northern Ireland, visit Advice NI or call 0800 915 4604

• You can write to your creditors using sample letters from Citizens Advice.

For free, confidential advice, use our Debt advice locator tool. For more information, visit - Help if you're struggling to pay your bills | MoneyHelper