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 £150 off their electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023. 

If you already receive a Cold Weather Payment you can still apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you are eligible. Any payments you receive are not affected.

Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

To qualify for the discount, your energy supplier needs to be part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme. 

In addition:

• you or your partner need to be in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and you or your partner's name is on the bill. If this applies to you, you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme as someone who is in the 'core group'.

OR

• you are on a low income or you receive certain means-tested benefits.  If this applies to you, you are eligible for the Discount Scheme as someone who is in the 'broader group'.

How to apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme

Your energy supplier must be part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2021 to 2022 in order for your to apply. See a list of suppliers that are part of the scheme.

Apply or find out more if you are in the 'core group' (in receipt of Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

Apply or find out more if you are in the 'broader group' (on low income or receive certain means-tested benefits).

Free expert energy advice from Green Doctors

Green Doctors are a charity that provies free, impartial expert advice to help Londoners keep warm.  They can advise and support with changing to a cheaper energy tariff, getting the most out of your heating system and helping to understand confusing bills, and many more.  Also, Green Doctors offer a free consultation to help you save money on energy bills and stay out of debt. Read the Green Doctors newsletter about the support they offer during the consumer energy crisis.

If you are aged 55+ or a carer of someone aged 55+, and you struggling to pay your energy bills this winter, contact Age UK Camden for a Benefit Check appointment.  A Benefit Check ensures older Camden residents are receiving their full entitlement to the welfare benefits available, including the Warm Home Discount, a one-off payment of £150 to help with energy costs for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

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. 

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
• and many more

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

Thames Water

Thames Water have a coronavirus help and advice page in regard to bill payments and registering vulnerable customers on the Priority Register so that they receive the help they need.

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.