Help with energy problems and how to pay for them

Page contents:

    Useful organisations Related articles

    As energy costs increase you may be struggling to pay your bills. Upgrading your heating system or insulating your home can help to reduce your energy costs. Help is available to arrange and pay for this.

    Find out more below about local support and help available.

    Help to pay heating bills and energy debt

    If you are struggling to pay your fuel bills or to need help with the cost of heating and insulation improvements to your home, help is available.

    Citizens Advice Newcastle have an Energy Affordability Helpline. They can help you to get an emergency fuel voucher. They provide energy advice to anyone in Newcastle. They can help you to register with the Priority Services register, pay your bills and more.

    Energy Services, Newcastle City Council can give telephone advice about your energy use, how to reduce fuel bills, and how to keep warm.

    Charis Grants manage financial assistance on behalf of a number of energy suppliers.

    Read more information about:

    Energy provider grants

    Grants are available from these energy providers:

    If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. Their ‘Individuals and Families Fund’ is available to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers. You will need to check their website to see if it is still open, and if you are able to apply.

    Gov.uk’s Find a Grant service is where you can search for government funding to help you pay for things such as a new boiler.

    Turn2Us are a national charity who also have a grants search engine. This page will ask a number of questions about your individual circumstances to find the right financial support available to you.

    Where to get energy advice

    Getting advice on energy costs and support can help you save money and make your home more energy efficient.

    Energy Services, Newcastle City Council offers energy advice to people living in Newcastle.

    Home Energy Advice North East support people across the North East to reduce their energy bills and make energy saving home improvements.

    Citizens Advice Newcastle provide energy advice to anyone in Newcastle.

    Search Newcastle support older people and people affected by dementia in the west of Newcastle. They can offer practical support with keeping your property warm, as well as having dedicated drop-in sessions, and a West End Warmers Energy Advice line.

    What to do if your energy firm closes

    Ofgem (the Office of Gas and Electricity markets) has published advice and information on how you are protected when energy firms collapse.

    You can also see who has taken over your energy supply if your supplier has collapsed on the Citizens Advice website.

    Help with prepayment energy costs

    If your prepayment meters are about to run out of credit and you don’t have any funds to top up, you need to contact your energy supplier.

    Your supplier should be able to issue a credit voucher or extend your emergency credit.

    If your supplier tells you that they won’t help, then you can ask the Citizens Advice Extra Help Unit to speak to them on your behalf:

    Warm Home Discount Scheme

    The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a £150 discount on your electricity bill to people who are eligible. Visit their website to find out if you meet the criteria.

    This discount doesn’t affect your Cold Weather or Winter Fuel Payment.

    Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments

    These schemes are for older people to help pay their energy bills during the colder months.

    See our Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment articles for more information.

    Threatened with Disconnection?

    If you are threatened with disconnection because you can’t pay your fuel bills, you should contact the energy company straightaway. It is likely that something can be done to help you. Your options might include:

    • making an arrangement with the energy company to repay your debts
    • being offered a pre-payment meter as an alternative to disconnection
    • use your benefits payments to help pay your bills and avoid disconnection. Some of your benefit will be deducted every week and will be paid directly to your energy supplier.

    Benefits advice in Newcastle

    It can be useful to speak with someone about the benefits you may be entitled to and how they may impact upon your other benefits. A local independent advice service can help guide you through the process such as:

    Newcastle Welfare Rights Service provide advice to people in priority groups including those over 65. They have self-help material on their website.

    There are more benefit advice services available across Newcastle. Read the Where to get benefit advice booklet.

    Help for individuals and families from charities

    Some charities help people in financial need. You can search them for charities that can help you in various circumstances.

    Turn2us is a charity where you find charitable funds and grants to apply for, when you need money for essential things in life. For example, furniture, household items, white goods, electrical items, studying, bringing up children, experiencing life changing circumstances and more. They have a telephone helpline, benefits calculator and online information.

    Community Foundation have a variety of grants available to apply for, available to individuals and organisations. You can use their online grant finder to see the grants that are available at the moment. These grants are usually available to help improve health, wellbeing and education opportunities for people in the North East.

    Last updated: December 18, 2024