Struggling to pay your energy bill? Updated 2nd March 2022 Click here for advice and support if you are struggling to pay your bills 'Top Tips' Energy Saving Poster Energy Saving Advice Running Costs - Household appliances, heating and hot water Healthy, Warm and Well in Derbyshire Pamphlet Information about the Government's Energy Bills Rebate Scheme Utility aid energy updates Figures published by National Energy Action (NEA) state that around 4 million households in the UK are in fuel poverty, unable to live in a warm dry home. The Bank of England has warned householders to prepare for the steepest drop in living standards for 30 years as the cost of living continues to increase. Inflation rose steeply in October to its highest rate in nearly a decade. Predictions suggest that inflation will soar to 7.25 percent by April, meaning the cost of everyday goods like groceries will continue to rise while the majority of wages remain stagnant. The Office for National Statistics has highlighted that increased household energy bills are a key driver of the rise in inflation. Ofgem announced that the energy price cap – determining the maximum energy companies can charge – will rise by 54 percent in April. Peter Smith, Director of Policy and Advocacy at fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action, comments: “The cost of living in the UK is soaring to its highest level in a decade." “Household energy bills were the biggest driver – which have increased by well over £200 since last winter." “If energy bills go up again in April by between £400 and £600, as predicted by some energy experts, the cost of heating a home will have more than doubled in a year." “Over the same period, those on the lowest incomes have seen their income plummet by over £1000 per year. This places an impossible burden on the shoulders of the poorest households and by April an additional 1.2 to 1.5 million more households would be plunged into fuel poverty across the UK." “Without any additional support, millions are sinking further into debt and many are turning off the heating. This leaves them at acute risk of serious ill-health as we head into colder weather. There is already some worrying evidence that is already leading to premature deaths, with weekly deaths up 16.8% more than the five-year average. If you are struggling to pay your fuel bills ... Scroll down to find out more about agencies and schemes that are here to help. Derbyshire Districts Citizen's Advice DDCAB have trained advisers who can advise on; energy switching to save money, applications for warm home discount and other grants, signing up to priority service registers, money-saving tips, reducing your water bill, and a variety of other things designed to save you money. The Citizen's Advice Service can also help you look at ways to maximise your household's income, including checking whether you are eligible for any benefits and grants. DDCAB have a partnership with Western Power Distribution through the ‘Power Up’ projects to ensure that people in the Midlands, South West and Wales receive free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on energy, benefits, and health related issues. For more information, and to book an appointment call this free adviceline number: 0808 278 7954. For web-based information and support on the following issues, the national Citizen's Advice Bureau has a comprehensive website covering the following: Grants and benefits available to help you pay your energy bill A problem with your fuel bill Struggling to pay your fuel bill How to switch energy providers Problems with your supply Problems with your meter (including pre-payment meters) Warmer Derby and Derbyshire Warmer Derby and Derbyshire offer advice about cold homes, energy bills, switching tariff, how to make your home more energy efficient and how to apply for grants for heating systems and insulation. You can contact them by: email: [email protected] tel: 0800 677 1332 Marches Energy Agency Marches are a Midlands based charity who deliver practical solutions to help reduce fuel poverty and cold homes, promote energy reduction and encourage the uptake of renewable energy. Marches can help you with: Checking your suitability for heating and insulation grants. Finding trusted heating and insulation installers. Tariff switching advice. Energy supplier disputes or fuel debt. Accessing additional support through our partners, such as income maximisation. Thinking about energy saving tips and renewable energy options. There has been an extension to the Marches Energy Agency prepayment voucher scheme. The scheme was originally set to end in January but has now been extended to 31st March 2023. A recent report estimated that 3.2 million people across Britain ran out of credit on their prepayment meter last year because they couldn’t afford to top it up and the hope is that the scheme can help as many of those people as possible. (20/01/23) You can contact Marches by: Telephone: 0800 677 1307 Email: [email protected] Fuel for Food Marches Energy Agency has received funding from Derbyshire County Council Public Health in order to support households who are using a Derbyshire foodbank and who are facing an immediate energy crisis. In order to be eligible for this support, clients will need to be registered with a Derbyshire Foodbank. For more information about this programme and how to refer one of your foodbank clients, please follow this link. Warmer Derby and Derbyshire The Warmer Derby & Derbyshire service is a partnership between the Marches Energy Agency charity and the Local Authority Energy Partnership (LAEP) – which includes all Derbyshire councils. You can call for advice about energy bills; switching tariff; how to make your homes more energy efficient, and how to apply for grants for heating systems and insulation. Ring 0800 677 1332 (Free Call) Winter Fuel Payment If you're over retirement age, you may be entitled to winter fuel payment. Most people will receive this money automatically. Household Support Fund Derbyshire households facing financial hardship can apply for a grant for help towards their food, energy and essential living costs. A maximum of 2 payments can be made worth £64 per household plus an extra £20 will be provided for each partner / spouse and any dependent children. All payments must be made before the fund closes at the end of March 2022. Contact: 01629 533399 Derbyshire Discretionary Fund - Emergency Cash Payment An emergency cash payment may help people when they cannot pay for food, heating or emergency travel which could lead to an immediate and serious risk to the health and safety of the person or their family. This could be because of a disaster or crisis. If an emergency cash payment is awarded it will be given in voucher form which can be taken to a post office with proof of ID. Contact: 01629 533399 Community Oil Buying Scheme Rural Action Derbyshire operates a community oil buying scheme that provides people who use oil to heat their house with the opportunity to obtain it at a lower price. Derbyshire Healthy Home Programme The Derbyshire Healthy Home Programme provides help for residents to keep warm and well at home. If you live in Derbyshire and own or privately rent your home and struggle to heat it, and have a health condition made worse by the cold (including heart conditions, breathing issues, mobility issues, type 1 diabetes, suppressed immune system and mental health issues) then the Derbyshire Healthy Homes Programme may be able to help with heating system repairs/upgrades, tariff switching advice, fuel debts, health and wellbeing advice. You can contact them by: email:[email protected] tel: 01629 536919 Cold weather is especially dangerous for older people or people with serious illnesses. If you are concerned about anyone please Call Derbyshire on the number above. For information about energy grants, please follow this link: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/lottery-funding/energy-grants/energy-grants.aspx Ofgem Ofgem can offer advice and support around Schemes, Grants, and Benefits to help you with your energy costs Shelter For advice on energy costs and money problems. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/debt_and_money_problems Severn Trent Trust Fund The Severn Trent Trust Fund is a charity that provides financial help for customers who are unable to pay their water charges. They can provide help with: water and sewerage charges if you are in hardship and unable to pay charges which are collected by other companies on behalf of Severn Trent other essential bills, household needs or priority debts. Visit: https://www.sttf.org.uk/ The Money Advice Service, Turn2Us and StepChange can also offer support and guidance. The Money Advice Service - How to save money on gas and electricity bills Turn2Us - Coping with the rising costs of energy bills StepChange Charity - How to manage energy bill arrears The Government has announced a package of support to help households with rising energy bills, worth £9.1 billion in 2022-23. Marches Energy Agency has summarised what this support will look like in the following document. Click below to download a copy. Energy Bills Rebate - Factsheet Manage Cookie Preferences