How to get hundreds of pounds off your energy bills
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IF you’re struggling to pay for your gas or electricity, you could get help with your bills - saving you hundreds of pounds in the process.
Affording the cost of heating can be a challenge for the estimated 2.55million people who are living in fuel poverty.
But, there is help for those struggling with energy costs, you just need to know where to look.
We round-up what you need to know.
Get £140 under the warm home discount for those on benefits
You may qualify to get £140 off your electricity under the warm home discount scheme, so long as you are claiming the guarantee credit element of pension credit or are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the "broader group".
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Your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount - check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
Here, the money is not paid to you, but comes as a one-off discount on your electricity bill, by March 31, 2020.
Check with your supplier as early as possible. The number of discounts suppliers can give are limited.
Pensioners could get up to £300 as a winter fuel payment
If you were born on or before August 5, 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a "winter fuel payment".
Those who get a state pension will usually get it automatically, otherwise you may have to claim.
The deadline for winter 2019/2020 is March 31, 2020.
Most payments are made automatically by January 13, 2020.
Get £25 for spells of cold weather
During periods of prolonged cold weather many people can claim an extra £25 a week off their heating bills.
These payments are available to those on certain benefits, such as pension credit or Universal Credit.
Payments are triggered when the forecast temperature is zero degrees Celsius, or below, for seven consecutive days, between November 1 and March 31.
To be eligible for a cold weather payment, a person must be in receipt of one of the following benefits and you can check if you qualify .
You can use an to find out if your area is due to receive payment triggered by cold weather.
Get £49 from a foodbank
If you rely on the services of a foodbank, you can apply for help with your energy bill.
The will issue energy vouchers for foodbank users to pay for energy, at the same time as they receive a food parcel.
All households using foodbanks with pre-payment meters can benefit, and the funds do not have to be paid back.
In the winter months, the value of the voucher is £49 which provides around two weeks’ worth of energy for the average family.
The scheme runs in 31 foodbanks, covering 52 distribution centres across the UK and works in partnerships with housing associations and other charitable foundations.
Your local foodbank will determine if you're eligible and you have to be referred to a foodbank by your GP, social worker or job centre.
Ask a charity if you can get a grant to help cover costs
If you’re behind on your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help you pay off the debt or to buy energy-efficient white goods to help you to cut your bills.
The trusts are reserved for those who need it most, normally those receiving certain state benefits, on a low income, or in some form of distress, such as a long-term illness.
With , for instance, you don't have to be a customer, but it is only available to those on an income below £13,260 per year, in severe ill health and able to demonstrate they have received money advice from a recognised institution.
There are also companies that offer grants specifically for their own customers.
Npower’s , for instance, helps vulnerable, low income homeowners who have long-term health conditions, inadequate heating or insulation and are struggling with energy debt.
So long as you can prove that you have made regular payments over a three-month period, the grant will suspend any debt on your energy account.
In the three months after, you must make regular payments covering your current usage. If you make sufficient payments, the award is confirmed and the debt is cleared.
It also offers funding for replacing white goods such as cookers, fridges and washing machines.
Other energy firms with similar schemes include , and .
Read more
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