THOUSANDS of households struggling to pay their energy bills are entitled to free fuel vouchers.
Those who pay their energy bills by direct debit will see their bills increase by 80% from £1,971 to £3,549 from October 1.
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However, those on prepayment meters will be hit the hardest as average bills are set to rise from £2,017 to £3,608 next month.
Bills for those on prepayment meters have increased by 175% since last year and these customers can get extra help.
That’s why local authorities and charities have stepped in to offer added support in the form of fuel vouchers.
The vouchers are aimed to help some of the four million people with pre-payment meters.
It’s previously been estimated that almost 120,000 of these customers could be eligible for this support.
Each council has the freedom to set its own eligibility criteria and value of these fuel vouchers.
For example, Wandsworth Council offers fuel vouchers worth £40 under their crisis assistance fund.
Households are eligible for three payments in any 12 month period but must be in receipt of certain benefits including Universal Credit.
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Manchester City Council offers struggling households a single voucher valued between £30 and £49 to help pay their energy bills.
Under the council’s “Help for Fuel” scheme, households claiming one of the following benefits are eligible for the vouchers:
- Universal Credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Guaranteed pension credit
Kent County Council will pay prepayment customers gas and electricity costs for a full week if they’re struggling.
To receive the help, households will need to live on a low working income and or claim at least one form of means-tested benefits.
Some councils might not offer these vouchers and you might have to go directly through local charities.
The Welsh Government has recently awarded funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation charity to distribute vouchers worth £30 or £49 to households with prepayment meters and at risk of disconnection.
However, further details will be set out in due course as to how households can apply for the bill help.
If your council doesn’t offer vouchers directly you can speak to a Citizens Advice Bureau advisor who can help sign post you to a charity.
Check your local council’s website to see whether they offer fuel vouchers.
Can I get help from my energy supplier?
Yes, energy suppliers do offer support for those who are struggling to pay their bills.
Those on Universal Credit and older legacy benefits could get over £3,000 in bill support.
There are plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling.
British Gas has recently confirmed that it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment metre.
If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free and friendly advice on how to manage debt:
What help is already available?
From September the second, one million people receiving tax credits will receive the first half of the £650 cost of living payment.
The money will be paid in the same way you usually get your tax credits.
And from September 20, over six million people with disabilities are set to receive £150 to help with the rising cost of living.
From October the first, all UK households are set to receive the £400 energy bills rebate.
The payment will be made up of six discounts between October and March next year.
Households will receive a £66 energy bill discount in October and November and a discount worth £67 in December, January, February and March.
We’ve listed how the leading energy suppliers plan to pay households the discount and are waiting on others to respond.
The way you’ll be paid will depend on how you pay for your energy.
If you’re on a credit meter the discount will come off your bills, but if you’re on a prepayment meter you’ll get a voucher.
Check with your supplier to confirm how you’ll receive the cash.
In November, a £300 one-off “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” will be paid out to eight million households.
It will be given to those who already get the winter fuel payment – which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme will likely begin from December.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
