Energy costs are currently spiralling up due to the increasing wholesale costs of oil and gas

Many individuals and families across the country are struggling to pay their bills and are having to decide between eating or heating.

If you are disabled and are struggling to manage your energy cost and usage there is support you can access to help you.

If you need to talk to someone about your energy concerns you can contact one of our friendly Hub Hosts and they will be able to assist and advise if any of our services can help.

We’ve also put together some resources to help support you during the energy crisis.

Disability Energy Support

Many charities and organisations are offering energy support advice to help you to manage your energy bills.

There is advice available on a wide range of energy issues.

Where to get help

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can help you take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Citizens Advice is running their Big Energy Saving Network campaign. This gives you information on:

• How to get a better energy deal
• How to save money by using less energy
• How to get help with paying your energy bills
• How to get support from your energy supplier
• Understand your smart meter
• Understand other energy meters
• Understand your energy bill

Additional Information from Citizens Advice:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Grants to pay your energy bills
• Help from your supplier

Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

Textphone: 18001 + helpline number

Who are my gas and electric suppliers?

You can find out who your gas supplier is by talking to the Meter Point Administration Service.

or call the Meter Point Administration Service on 0870 608 1524

You can find out who your electricity supplier is by using the Energy Network Association search tool.

Government Help

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. 

You will be eligible for this discount if:

• you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit – known as the ‘core group’
• you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme – known as the ‘broader group’

You need to contact your supplier to find out if you can get the discount.

Energy Bills Rebate

The Government has announced the Energy Bills Rebate which provides:

• A £200 discount on household energy bills for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain. This will be paid back automatically over the next 5 years. 
• A £150 non-repayable Council Tax Rebate payment for all households that are liable for Council Tax in Bands A-D in England.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations. Energy suppliers and network operators offer this service. Each energy provider keeps their own register. You need to contact your energy supplier to get yourself on the register.

You are eligible if you:

• are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have a hearing or sight condition
• have a mental health condition
• have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well)
• have reached your state pension age
• are pregnant or have children under 5

If you are eligible for the Priority Services Register you can get help with:

• Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.
• Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
• Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
• Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.
• Priority support in an emergency. Network operators could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
• Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine. 
• Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.

More advice from the Goverment:

Local energy grants

Cold Weather Payments

Winter Fuel Payment

Scope

Scope are offering a Disability Energy Support service for disabled people. The service is open to disabled people or households in England and Wales where one or more disabled people live. Telephone appointments are limited due to high demand but you can still contact them via email.

You can use Scope’s Disability Energy Support eligibility checker.

National Energy Action (NEA)

NEA’s WASH Advice Service is a free support service providing advice on your energy bills and keeping warm and safe in your home. They can also help with benefits advice and how to best manage your income.

NEA offer Face-to-face, telephone and online support for householders.

Contact wash@nea.org.uk for more information.

Entitledto

You can check which benefits you may be entitled to by simply using the benefits calculator at entitledto. Entitledto is independent of the UK Government but they create benefits calculators that are up to date and are based on expert knowledge of the UK’s social security system. 

MoneySavingExpert

Martin Lewis’ website MoneySavingExpert offers a huge range of advice and information about the energy crisis and what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills.