MILLIONS of households are eligible for free cash to help with rising energy bills.
With the price cap predicted to go up this winter – now is the time to check what help you can get.
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Energy experts at Cornwall Insight are prediction that energy bills for typical households will hit £3,553 from October 1.
The prediction comes only days before the energy regulator, Ofgem announces what the energy price cap will increase to on Friday, August 26.
Further predictions suggest that energy bills will hit £4,649.72 in January and £5,341.08 from April.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills there’s extra help out there.
From energy suppliers issuing grants to direct government support – we list what’s on offer.
And if you’re eligible for it all, it could be worth as much as £2,335 – but what you’ll get will depend on your circumstances.
Here we explain what you could get and how to apply.
Energy supplier grants – up to £1,500
Energy suppliers offer cash grants to those hardest hit by bills rises.
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Households can get up to £1,500 in grants from the British Gas Energy Trust to help pay their bills.
Scottish Power will pay up to £750 in grants to help its customers pay off their energy debt.
Bulb has previously offered its customers grants worth £140 to help with rising bills.
The amount can vary according to your supplier and your circumstances.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
Energy bill rebate – £400
The government has announced the every single household will get a £400 discount on their energy bill from October.
The money does have to be paid back and it’ll be paid in six instalments from October through till March.
Households will get £66 off their bills in October and November and £67 off their bills in December, January, February and March.
Those with a credit meter and smart prepayment meter will be paid automatically and see the discount added as either a credit onto their account or as a refund into their bank account.
The way you’ll be paid the discount will depend on who your energy supplier is.
If you’re on a traditional prepayment meter, you’ll be given a redeemable energy bill discount voucher or special action message (SAMs) in the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post.
You’ll then need to redeem these at their usual top-up point.
Council Tax rebate – £150
Since April, 80% of households in tax bands A-D are eligible for a £150 council tax rebate to help with the cost of living.
If you pay your council tax bill by direct debit, your local authority should have paid you the cash by now.
According to the government, 97% of households that pay by direct debit received the payment within three months of the rebate scheme launching.
If you pay by another method, you will have to apply for the rebate through your local council.
Most councils will expect you to apply on their website for the cash.
You can check your local council’s website and social media pages for the for more information on the rebate.
Household support fund – up to £150
Local councils are giving out cash top help households struggling with bills and other essential costs.
How much you can get depends on where you live and in many areas.
To qualify you’ll usually need to be a recipient of council tax support.
You can search for yours using the search tool on gov.uk – just enter your postcode.
Local councils also offer welfare assistance schemes all year round that can help you with bills.
Warm home discount scheme – £150
You can get £150 off your energy bills with the Warm Home Discount scheme.
You’ll need to be a recipient of one or more of the following benefits to qualify:
If you’re in receipt of the benefits listed above, under the new scheme you won’t have to apply.
You’ll receive the rebate automatically and your energy firm will discount it from your bill.
Cold weather payment – up to £75
When temperatures plummet those in low income households can get a £25 payment.
These cold weather payments have already been made in several locations where residents have experienced below zero weather.
The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each seven day period of low temperatures between November 1 and March 31.
In the coldest areas three £25 payments have been made so far this winter, adding up to £75 in total.
See if your postcode has qualified for a payment and make sure you got it if you were eligible.
Fuel vouchers – £50
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it’s offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council – you can find yours via gov.uk by searching your postcode.
The voucher should help you cover around two weeks worth of electricity use.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly.
Emergency credit – £10
Energy companies usually offer emergency credit, though you will have to pay this back.
How much you get and how it’s applied will depend on who your supplier is.
It might be added to your meter when you fall below a certain amount or you might have to ask for it.
You might get extra if you are vulnerable, for example if you have a health condition or are over state pension age.
You’ll have to repay the cash next time you top up, but you can speak to your supplier about how much you’ll pay back and over what time.
Check other benefits and help you can get
It’s also worth noting that millions of Brits are missing out on benefits they’re entitled to adding up to billions of pounds in total.
Benefit calculators can help you check what you could be entitled to.
There are several benefit checker tools you can use – here’s our guide.
If you’re worried about falling behind on bills or if you’re in debt. there are plenty of organisations where you can get free advice, including:
