If your energy bills are too high then you should look at what grants may be available to you from the Heat Project to reduce them.  We can offer grants for insulation and, if you are in receipt of benefit, you may be entitled to a grant towards the cost of upgrading your boiler or storage heaters, or towards the cost of installing a heating system.  Find out more by clicking on one of these links Insulation Grants or Heating Grants

If you have contacted your energy company and are struggling to agree a repayment plan, or if you believe that they are blocking you from switching to another company unfairly, then you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline by calling 03454 04 05 06 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.  Calls to this line cost at least 9p per minute and up to 40p from mobile phones so alternatively you can complete their online form. You may also like to contact Step Change, a debt advice charity.

A number of utility companies offer grants to assist people on low incomes who are struggling to pay their energy bills and who are suffering financial hardship.  Many of these schemes are managed through an organisation called Charis.  Even though the schemes are funded by specific utility companies such as Eon, British Gas and EDF Energy, you may still be able to apply for financial assistance from these services even if you are not one of their customers.  Go here to find out more

If you are on benefits you may be able to repay arrears directly through your benefits via the Fuel Direct scheme, rather than having to use a costly pre-payment meter. Contact the Job Centre and tell them you want to set up a Fuel Direct repayment plan and they will advise your energy supplier.  You may also be eligible for a Warm Homes Discount of £140 a year but you must make sure your energy supplier is signed up to the scheme, to find out more go here