Having Trouble Paying Your Energy Bills? The Government Can Help

By Author: Daniel Higgins
Total Articles: 9
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Households across the UK have had their finances stretched even further by rising energy costs. The annual cost of gas and electricity for the average British home is now into four figures. So if you are finding it difficult to meet these new increased energy costs, what help is available? We have compiled a rundown of all of the new government help packages that offer aid to those struggling to cope.

If you are struggling to pay for your gas and electricity bills, then you should get in touch with your supplier too. They should be happy to help, and often have a range of support in place for those on lower incomes. They can work out a more affordable payment plan for you, may offer you a grant, or switch your energy tariff to a special reduced rate.

1. The Home Energy Saving Programme is one of the government programmes that have been set up to help you to make your home more energy efficient. The more heat your home is able to retain, the less gas you will have to use for heating. This programme offers help to the elderly and low-income households offering free loft and cavity insulation, while other households ...
... may be entitled to half-price insulation.

2. Local councils, energy companies and various voluntary organisations are being given funds to help their local community through the Community Energy Saving Programme. This means that they will be going door-to-door in the poorest areas of the UK ensuring that those most in need have access to all of the help that is available to them.

3. You may well have already heard of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. This is a tax-free annual payment given to UK residents over the age of 60. The amount you receive will depend on your personal circumstances but last year payments ranged from 250 GBP to 400 GBP.

4. If you have a state pension then you should receive this Winter Fuel Payment automatically. If you do not have a state pension then you will have to apply yourself either on the Direct.Gov website or by calling 08459 151 515 for a claim form.

5. When the weather becomes severely cold, reaching 0C or 32F for seven consecutive days, some UK residents can benefit from a one-off government payment to help them get through the cold weather safely. The Cold Weather Payment is for those in receipt of certain disability and pension premiums, as well as those on income support or jobseekers allowance who also have a child of five or younger within their household.

So who is paying for all of this help? Several of these government programmes is being paid for by the energy companies themselves, including electricity generating companies. They have been ordered to help the government out to the tune of 910 million GBP so that these schemes can reach as many households as possible.

Take out boiler cover with British Gas and make sure that you have no unpleasant surprises or engineers bills this winter. All of our work is carried out by Corgi registered engineers.