Cambridgeshire County Council has provided practical information to help people manage their electricity and gas bills. Many suppliers of other non-energy related services also offer discounts or help schemes. Contact your service supplier to find out what they can offer you.
A £150 one off payment between April and September 2022 for households in council tax bands A to D, known as the Council Tax Rebate. If you pay by direct debit, the payment should automatically be paid into your account. If you pay by other means you will have to contact your local authority to arrange payment to you.
Energy bills discount due to come in from October is being doubled from £200 to £400. Households will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills from October onwards. The discount is credited directly to their account/prepay meter.
The government announced additional support for households on certain benefits – full information can be found here Cost of living support factsheet
Up to £100 payment to help with paying for household energy bills and food. Available to people experiencing immediate financial hardship. Household Support Fund – Cambridgeshire County Council
Automatic payment of up to £300 for people aged 66+ as at Sep 2022. Payments are made automatically in November and December. Winter Fuel Payment
This is paid for periods of very cold weather lasting 7 days or more between 1 Nov and 31 March for people on specific eligible benefits. https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
CLAS can provide information, advice and practical support and assistance in times of exceptional pressure. Following an assessment, you may be eligible for a CLAS award. The awards can be in the form of supermarket vouchers, energy vouchers, new cookers, or recycled white goods and furniture. CLAS energy vouchers for people on prepaid meters are available via Cambridge & District Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Rural Cambs. Applicants can self-refer. Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme
Access to the following grants is via a professional referral:
Grants of up to £400 are awarded for vulnerable individuals and families facing fuel poverty. For those that are homeless, other costs of keeping warm (such as sleeping bags) will be considered. .
Individual customers cannot apply on their own behalf. Please contact your local Citizens Advice – Citizens Advice Cambridge & District or Citizens Advice Rural Cambs for access to this grant.
Stay Well
Some of the bigger energy suppliers have their own funds to support households in energy arrears. Main examples include Eon and British Gas. These funds are open to all, not just their customers. Would advise going through a local Citizens Advice (see links above) for these grants, as a financial statement prepared by a Debt Advisor is needed as evidence of seeking Debt Advice.
Knowing what you are using and spending on energy will help you feel more in control. You can do this by reading your meter regularly or getting a smart meter installed.
Electricity and gas are ‘priority’ bills – if you do not pay them, you run the risk of your supply being cut off. Your bills are made up of:
Remember– The energy price cap is the maximum amount that the supplier can charge for the unit cost and standing charge – your energy costs will be higher than the price cap if you use more units.
Small changes can make a big difference. For example:
More useful information here https://www.nea.org.uk/get-help/advice-resources/
Using less water at home will also save on energy costs/ You can consider:
Provides advice and support to households in Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambs and Cambridge City around heating and energy. Following a referral or self-referral a call or home visit will be booked in with one of our energy advisors who will help with any relevant issues. Frontline workers can be kept up to date on this project by signing up to be a volunteer on the project.
To refer, email warmhomes@pect.org.uk, call 01733 568408 or fill in the referral form on – www.pect.org.uk/projects/warmhomes
Households in Peterborough and South Cambs can receive a similar service from LEAP to help with issues around heating and energy.
Call 0800 060 7567 or email support@applyforleap.org.uk to refer in or visit www.applyforleap.org.uk for more information.
If you cannot afford to top up or pay your energy bills, even after checking this advice, please seek more help. Useful contacts:
All energy and gas companies have priority services register for households in more vulnerable situations. The support available will depend on your supplier and your needs but offers you additional protection – contact your supplier to find out more.
This scheme helps low-income homeowners receive help with boiler replacements, insulation, and first-time central heating. This can be accessed either through an energy supplier, for example Eon can offer boiler replacement at heavily reduced price, or through an appropriate installer who can access the funding on behalf of the household. Installers can be found on www.trustmark.org.uk.
ECO3 Scheme
There may be grant funding available through the local authority for low income or vulnerable homeowners to assist with energy improvements in the home. Contact the local authority or PECT to see if this is available for any households you are supporting at the time.
For those in Fenland, LEAP can offer boiler replacements and first-time central heating for homeowners in receipt of benefits. See referral details above. additional protection – contact your supplier to find out more.
Other useful places to go for information include: