As the cost of living in the UK continues to rise, many households are feeling the squeeze on their budgets more than ever before. This is particularly true for utility bills (energy and water bills), which are often one of the largest monthly expenses.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can get help to avoid missed payments if you’re grappling with rising living costs and struggling to pay your energy bills in full and on time.
How much debt do you have?
How can my energy supplier help with my energy bills?
As well as making energy-saving improvements to make your home more energy-efficient, there are many ways your energy supplier can help to ease the financial burden you may be facing.
Here are five ways your energy company can directly assist you if you’re struggling with unaffordable energy costs:
1. Sticking to the energy price guarantee
All energy companies in the UK must stick to the government-mandated energy price guarantee (also called the energy price cap). This is essentially a guarantee that ensures energy prices won’t increase beyond a certain threshold.
The current energy price cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit is £1,755 per year (October-December 2025). From January to March 2026, it is set to increase to £1,758 per year.
2. Reviewing your gas or electricity bill to make it more affordable
Your energy company might be able to review your energy usage and suggest ways that you can reduce your bills, making them easier to manage each month.
They might also be able to look for more affordable payment options for you, such as switching you to a monthly Direct Debit payment plan or a social tariff.
3. Offering you a payment break
If you’re struggling with your bills, your energy supplier can offer you a payment break where there is a mutual agreement that you don’t have to make payments for a fixed period.
This can help you take a much-needed break from unaffordable payments and give you time to get your finances back on track.
4. Reducing your unpaid balance or offering you a more affordable payment plan
If you have an outstanding balance, your energy company may offer you a more affordable payment plan to help you repay what you owe.
This could mean reducing your monthly payments or spreading your outstanding balance over a longer period.
5. Giving you more time to repay what you owe
Your energy supplier might be able to give you more time to pay if you’re struggling to stick to your current payment date.
This could involve extending your payment period or deferring payments until you’re in a better financial position.
6. Adding you to the Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a list of people who would be most at risk if their energy supply were to be cut off. If you are 66 or over, ill, disabled, or have children living at home, you can apply.
Being on the register can provide you with extra support and services in the event your energy supply is ever disconnected.
How do I deal with energy suppliers if I’m a vulnerable person?
If you’re a vulnerable person, you may be entitled to additional support to help you deal with energy suppliers. You could be classed as a vulnerable person if you:
- Receive certain disability benefits
- Have certain mental health needs
- Have reached the state pension age
- Are pregnant or have young children under 5
If you fit into any of these categories and you believe you might be entitled to additional support, you should contact your energy supplier directly to find out what help is available.
Most energy suppliers have dedicated teams to provide advice and assistance to vulnerable customers. They may also be able to offer you special tariffs, payment plans, or other forms of support to help you better manage your energy bills.
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How can the government help me if I’m struggling to pay my bills?
The UK government and energy suppliers often work together to provide assistance to people who need extra help paying their bills. There are several government schemes available to help individuals and families dealing with unaffordable payments, including:
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off discount of £150 off your electricity bill between September and March.
The scheme is available to certain low-income and vulnerable households. The discount is automatically deducted from your energy bills if you qualify, so there’s no need to apply.
Cold Weather Payment
If you receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit or Income Support, you may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment.
You will receive a one-off payment of £25 every time the temperature falls below zero degrees for seven consecutive days between November and March.
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 (depending on your circumstances) to help with your heating costs during the winter months.
It is available to individuals who were born on or before 5 October 1954 and who meet certain other eligibility criteria.
Fuel voucher
If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter or smart meter, you might be able to get a fuel voucher to add credit to your gas card or electricity key.
You can get a fuel voucher by contacting your local council and explaining your situation. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a code to redeem the voucher in a letter, email, or text message.
Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space)
The Debt Respite Scheme (commonly known as Breathing Space) is a government scheme available to residents of England and Wales.
It offers a fixed period of legal protection from creditors if you’re struggling with debt to any of your creditors and can help if you have energy debt with your utility company.
Winter Heating Payment
Winter Heating Payment is a one-off payment you could be eligible for if you live in Scotland and receive certain benefits.
You may also be eligible for Child Winter Heating Payment if you live in Scotland. It is a fixed amount designed to provide additional support to families with disabled children or young people struggling with heating costs over the winter period.
Am I entitled to additional government support?
Even if you’re not entitled to support with your energy bills, there are other forms of support available that you could be entitled to.
The government offers general financial support in the form of benefits to individuals and families who meet certain criteria, so it’s important to ensure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Here is a brief outline of the different types of benefit payments you could be eligible for:
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit that provides financial support to individuals and families who are on a low income or are currently out of work. It replaces a range of other benefits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Working Tax Credit.
Find out if you’re eligible for Universal Credit here.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is an example of means-tested benefits that provides additional income to pensioners who are on a low income. It is comprised of two parts: Guarantee Credit (which tops up your weekly income to a minimum amount) and Savings Credit (which rewards those who have some savings or a small pension).
Find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit here.
Council tax reduction
You may be able to get a means-tested reduction in your council tax. The amount you can claim depends on your income, your household circumstances, and the amount of council tax you’re required to pay.
To find out if you’re eligible for any of these benefits or reductions, contact the Pension Service or your local council or Jobcentre Plus. They will be able to provide you with further information and help you complete your application.
Discretionary Housing Payment
If you receive certain benefits but it’s not enough to cover your rent, you might qualify for a one-off payment from your local council to help you with housing costs.
Each local council runs its own scheme, which means there is no set amount you automatically qualify for. The amount given out is up to each individual council.
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What can I do if the amount I’m being asked to pay is wrong?
If you’ve received a bill and you believe it to be wrong for whatever reason, you can try the following:
- Thoroughly read your bill: Has an inaccurate meter reading been listed? Is the correct address listed? Do the account number and unit rates match your previous bills? Thoroughly read your bill to identify the mistake and take action to rectify it.
- Check your meter: Does the meter reference listed on your bill match your meter? Do the numbers add up? Providing regular meter readings is key to ensuring you’re paying the right amount.
- Switch off all your appliances. If the meter still moves when all your appliances are switched off, there may be a problem. To find the issue, turn each appliance on one at a time and monitor the meter.
- Contact your supplier: The last step is to contact your supplier with meter readings to prove that what you’re being asked to pay is wrong. They should be able to send you an updated bill with the correct amount.
Can I remove my name from my bills?
If you have a bill in joint names, you have the power to contact the utility provider to remove your name from the account. The utility provider should be able to find the account based on address and postcode and update the account as necessary.
However, if you’ve moved out of the property, it is up to you to provide proof that you moved out of the property in order for your name to be removed from the bill.
Both account holders might need to approve the removal of one party’s name from a bill. If you’re no longer in communication with the other person, the utility provider should be able to outline your options.
When am I liable to pay a bill?
There are several situations in which you are liable to pay a bill, which we’ve outlined below:
You’re a joint account holder
If you have a joint account with someone else, both you and the other person are jointly and severally liable for the entire amount. This means that, if one party refuses to pay any of it, the other party is still required to pay 100% of it, not just 50%.
You’re a guarantor
If you have acted as a guarantor for someone else’s credit agreement (e.g. a loan or rental agreement), you are legally responsible for 100% of the debt if the primary borrower does not pay for any reason. This is why you must carefully consider any decision to become a guarantor – even if it’s on behalf of a close friend or family member.
You’re currently using the service
If the bill is in your name and is for a service at your current address that you’re currently using, you’re responsible for the payments alongside anyone else listed on the bill. If your name is still on the bill but you no longer live there, you must contact the provider and tell them you’ve moved out.
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Energy-saving tips to help reduce energy bills
Using less energy during the colder months can help lower your energy bills, making them more affordable.
Here are some tips to help you save money on your energy bills this winter:
Air-dry your clothes when you can
If you tumble-dry your clothes, try a washing line or drying rack instead. Using a high-speed spin cycle when you wash your clothes can also shorten the drying time, reducing the need to dry them at all.
Draught-proof your home
Plugging any gaps around doors, windows, and other spaces in your home can prevent energy waste and ensure you’re getting the most out of the energy you’re paying for.
Switch off standby appliances
Some appliances continue to use energy even when they’re in stand-by mode. Kettles, laptops, and games consoles are some of the biggest so-called ‘vampire appliances’ that should be switched off when not in use.
Conclusion
As the cost of living continues to rise, millions of people in the UK could benefit from help with energy bills. However, some don’t know what help is available and, more importantly, where to go to seek expert advice.
From charitable grants and government schemes to council tax reductions and payment breaks, there are many ways you could get help with your energy bills, making them easier to manage and making you less likely to owe money to your utility company.
If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, don’t hesitate to contact Citizens Advice or reach out to a financial expert. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can resolve your money worries and work towards a healthier financial future.
