The “mini-Budget” delivered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak failed to deliver specific energy help for the millions of homes that will see their bills rise from next month.
Ofgem has confirmed it is increasing its price cap by £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 from April 1 - up by a massive 54%.
Prepayment customers will be worse off, with a jump of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.
The Chancellor didn't expand on previously announced tailored support to help homes who may struggle to afford their gas and electricity.
He has already confirmed a £150 council tax rebate to help ease the burden - this will be available from October - along with a £200 energy bill "loan" that is compulsory and needs to be paid back.
But some experts have argued that this doesn’t go far enough.
MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis said his head “sunk” after the Spring Statement and described the help so far offered by Mr Sunak as “limited”.
The only form of help announced by the Chancellor in the Commons was the doubling of the Household Support Fund from £500million to £1billion.
However, the money from this scheme is given to local councils, who in turn each decide who may be eligible for support - so it is a complete postcode lottery as to what help you might get, if any at all.
You may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help with heating or your food shop, but again, it depends on your local authority.
If you’re not able to get support from your council, we explain other ways to get help with your energy bills.
Talk to your energy provider
The first port of call if you’re really struggling is to talk to your energy provider.
You’ll need to explain why you can’t pay your bills and ask them what help they can offer you.
For example, 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 - or if there is a lower tariff you could be moved to.
Check if you’re eligible for help through a hardship fund
All the big energy firms have charitable hardship funds and grants that you may be eligible for if you’re struggling.
For example, the British Gas Energy Trust can be accessed by anyone, not just British Gas customers, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
Help is also available from the following energy providers, if you’re an existing customer:
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund
- E.on Energy Fund
- E.on Next Energy Fund
- Ovo Energy Fund
- Octo Assist Fund
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
The exact eligibility requirements vary between energy providers. In some cases, you’ll need to be claiming certain benefits to apply.
Generally speaking, you’ll need to have spoken to a debt adviser first before applying, and you’ll have to show proof of your income and explain why you’re behind on your bills.
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.
There are around 8,000 grants currently available.
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.
Check if you can claim a Winter Fuel Payment
If you’re over the state pension age, you may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment scheme, worth between £100 and £300 during the winter months.
Most people born on or before 26 September, 1955, will qualify for this year’s 2021/22 winter payment.
You must have also been living in the UK for at least one day of the week of 20 to 26 September 2021 - this is the qualifying week for the current payment window.
You should have received your Winter Fuel Payment in November or December, but if you didn’t and you think you may be eligible, you have until March 31, 2022 to apply.
Go to Gov.uk or call 0800 731 0160 to make a claim.
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:
Check if you can pay through your benefits
If you're struggling to budget, you can have some of your bills paid directly out of your benefits payments.
This is called "third party deductions" and sometimes Fuel Direct and could give you peace of mind to know that everything has been paid.
Contact the Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service if you’re on Pension Credit to apply.
Can you get 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.
But there isn’t much time left to get a payment for this year, as the scheme always starts on November 1 and ends on March 31.
The qualifying postcodes so far this winter are listed here - if you're eligible, the money will be paid into the account registered with your state benefit.
One for later this year... Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a one-off payment of £140 and is distributed directly by energy suppliers.
To qualify, you must get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit to be in the "core group", or be on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria to apply for the “broader group”.
Sadly, all the Warm Home Discount applications have now closed for this winter.
This means the help you can get won’t help families right now, but it’s worth making a note for when the Warm Home Discount scheme opens again later this year.
The discount is applied between October and March.
