What to do if you can’t pay your bills
Falling behind on your energy bills can be extremely stressful.
If you’re struggling to pay what you owe, contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Your provider has to help you come up with a solution, and you should be able to negotiate a deal that works for you both.
One option is to agree a payment plan where you pay off your debts in affordable instalments.
You may be able to pay off your debts directly from your benefits through the Fuel Direct Scheme.
A fixed amount will automatically be taken to cover what you owe plus your usage.
To be eligible, you must be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit (but only if you’re not working)
If you cannot come to an agreement with your supplier, they may try to force you to get a prepayment meter installed.
In very rare cases, where you refuse to negotiate, your supplier might threaten you with disconnection.
When will you start receiving the Warm Home Discount?
Brits will start receiving £150 in bill help in the coming days as part of the Warm Home Discount.
Customers should keep an eye out for emails and letters in the post confirming their eligibility in the coming weeks, with payments set to begin on October 16.
Advice for those in Scotland applying for the Warm Home Discount
Customers are advised to contact their electricity supplier to check if they are eligible and to apply. You cannot apply for the discount by contacting the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited so you should contact them as early as possible.
You can also check if you were eligible last year and this could result in getting a discount to your bill.
How to reduce the cost of your supermarket shop
At a time when prices are sky high, households will be looking for ways to cut costs on their supermarket shop where they can.
Here we share a number of savvy saving tips to help you cut the cost at the till – and save some much-needed cash.
- Know when to shop – Heading to the shops when products are marked down and bright yellow discount stickers are applied can save a fair bit of cash.
- Hunt for yellow sticker bargains – You should also keep an eye out for yellow stickers to get the best food bargains.
- Make the most of loyalty schemes – Here we revealed the best and worst supermarket loyalty schemes including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
- Shop wonky – Strange-shaped fruit and vegetables taste the same but cost less.
- Make a list – One of the most common mistakes shoppers make is going out underprepared.
Free debt advice
If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free advice on how to manage debt.
Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is an automatic £150 discount off energy bills, and payments began this month.
As it is a discount, no money is paid to you.
