Paying for Gas Electricity and Water

The ongoing consumer energy crisis is concerning for all of us. If you are struggling financially to pay for gas and electricity, there are some schemes that provide free support and advice.

Warm Home Discount SchemeThe Warm Home Discount Scheme is a government scheme that gives some people money off their electricity bill for help during the winter months. 

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

For further information, please visit the Warm Home Discount website here.

Free expert energy advice from Green Doctors

Green Doctors are a charity that provides free, impartial expert advice to help Londoners keep warm.  They can advise and support with changing to a cheaper energy tariff, how to get the most out of your heating system and helping to understand confusing bills, and many more.

Green Doctors offer a free consultation to help you save money on energy bills and stay out of debt.

Contact the Green Doctors to access support with energy bills

Telephone: 0300 365 3005

Website: https://greendoctors-london.org/

Free energy advice and access to warmth and related servicesFind out how you can save energy and keep warm and get free advice from the Green Camden helpline by phoning 0800 801 738 (Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm).

You can also get access to a range of warmth, income, safety and health services through the WISH Plus referral hub. Below is just some of the services available:

  • well and warm home energy efficiency improvements
  • telephone energy advice
  • money management, including budgeting and debt advice
  • a range of health and wellbeing advice including quitting smoking, mental health, help for people at risk of losing their tenancy

Find out more about WISH Plus and get access to warmth, income, safety and health & wellbeing services

Website: https://www.camden.gov.uk/wish-plus

Refer yourself to WISH Plus: https://camden.partnerlogin.org/external/webforms/8

Refer someone else to WISH Plus: https://camden.partnerlogin.org/external/webforms/9

The Seasonal Health Intervention Network (SHINE) is a fuel poverty referral network and free energy advice service for Londoners. SHINE London offers a dedicated helpline and affordable warmth interventions to ensure households get the help they need to reduce utility bills, tackle energy debt and ultimately stay well and warm.

SHINE accepts referrals for households of any tenure that have an income below £16,480 and or receives means-tested benefits or where a households member falls under a SHINE target group, which are:

  • Has a disability
  • Has a long-term health conditions worsened by the cold
  • Is a child under 15
  • Is an adult over 60

To find more information about SHINE London using the details below:

Website: https://shine-london.org.uk/

To refer yourself: call 0300 555 0195 to speak to an advisor, 9am and 5pm, Mon-Fri

To refer someone else: complete the online form or email [email protected]

Support available from energy providers for vulnerable peopleFor further guidance and support visit the Cost of living support - Camden Council website. Proposals will make sure vulnerable customers who may fall into debt remain supplied with energy.  These options are:

If you have a gas and electricity pre-payment meter, you can:

  • request a discretionary fund to be added to your credit or it can be sent a pre-loaded top up card so that your supply is not interrupted.  Please  phone the relevant energy supplier.  The telephone numbers are below.
  • nominate a trusted third party to collect discretionary credit sent to a shop on your behalf
  • request your smart pre-payment meter to be switched into credit mode. Customers need to be aware that any credit has to be paid back.

It is vital that customers contact their energy supplier to ensure the supplier is aware of their situation.

Gas and electricity credit meter

If you have a gas and electricity credit meter and pay monthly or quarterly for your energy you will be supported by your supplier through the following options:

  • no disconnection of credit meters
  • debt repayments and bill payments can be reassessed, reduced or paused if necessary

Gas and electricity suppliersBelow is a list of some gas and electricity suppliers and their contact details

British gas - telephone  0333 202 9802

EDF - website https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/help-centre

e.on - website https://www.eonenergy.com/contact.html

N Power -telephone 0800 073 3000

Scottish Power - telephone 0800 027 0072

SSE - telephone 0345 026 2658

Further supportFurther information on saving money and energy is available on Camden's Energy efficiency services website. This includes information on where to get further advice, and where to apply for grants and discounts.