Where to get support if you're struggling with your energy bills
There’s no escaping from the high price of energy bills these days, and the increased cost of living makes it very difficult for a lot of people. As well as looking at some of the ways you can keep your energy bills down, this article explains the support available to you if you're struggling to pay your energy bills.
Government schemes
There are some government schemes that you may be able to access, like the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill for people on low incomes. Applications for this usually open in October.
There's also the Cold Weather Payment, which is based off the temperature in your area. You can receive it if it’s recorded or forecast to be zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days. You can learn more about this and the eligibility criteria here.
Reducing your energy usage
You probably already know the basics when it comes to keeping your energy bills down. Turning off lights and appliances when not in use and turning the heating off when you’re out are two examples. The Energy Saving Trust has some more detailed suggestions, including changing clothes-washing habits, avoiding using a tumble dryer, and spending less time in the shower. You can find estimates of how much money these tips could save, as well as additional resources on their website.
Speak to your provider
If you’re struggling with your energy bills, please talk to your energy provider. Ofgem states that energy providers must work with you to provide a payment plan, even if you need an existing payment plan reviewed. You can find guidance from Ofgem here.
Additional information
National Energy Action, the charity leading Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, has information and support on its website.
Contact us for support
We're on hand to offer help and advice to our customers.
Our team of welfare and benefits advisors are at Parkside Community Hub on Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford every Tuesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. We’ll be able to help ensure that you’re getting all the financial aid that you’re eligible for.
Parkside Community Hub is a warm space. It's open to everyone, not just CHP customers. Come along, have a hot drink, and warm up any time from Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm.
What we're doing to tackle the energy crisis
Improving our homes and ensuring that they’re safe and well-maintained is important to us. This includes improving the energy efficiency of our homes. 74 percent of our homes have an EPC of C+, and all our new homes have an EPC rating of C+. You can find out more about what we’re doing to improve our homes in our latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report.
If you have any questions or would like further details on anything mentioned here, please call us on 0300 555 0500 or email enquiries@chp.org.uk.