Households going without to keep up with energy bills: What help can you get?

Millions of households are worried about how they’ll afford their energy bills this winter - and many are making tough choices to make ends meet. So what options are open to you if you’re struggling?

The scale of the problem

According to Citizens Advice, 3.5m households are either behind on their bills or without gas or electricity because they can’t afford to top up their prepayment meter.

But with energy bills set to rise further in the coming months, more than ten million Brits are worried about how they’ll pay their energy bills this winter.

Households making sacrifices to cover costs

These concerns come at a time when people in energy debt are already making sacrifices to keep up with vital expenses.

Nearly two in five (38%) said they’ve cut back on food spending, and a similar number (36%) are scaling back their leisure and social activities, such as not taking part in hobbies, cancelling holidays and seeing friends and family less.

Meanwhile, almost a third (32%) are using less heating even when it’s cold.

Is more cost-of-living support on the way?

Clearly, this situation isn’t sustainable and action needs to be taken.

The government recently announced that VAT on household electricity bills would be removed from October, and prime minister Andy Burnham has suggested that more cost-of-living support will be announced in the coming months.

But with Ofgem this week confirming the energy price cap will increase by 4% on 1 October, ministers are under pressure to go further.

Citizens Advice, for example, has called on the government to provide “a comprehensive package of support this winter - not just a single sticking plaster - to protect households from the ongoing energy crisis”.  

And Money Wellness have proposed a national social tariff that would automatically reduce bills for those who are eligible.

Government sources have suggested that while households are unlikely to get further support before the October price cap comes into effect, more targeted measures could be introduced if there’s another shock in January.

And Mr Burnham has also confirmed that he’s asked chancellor John Healey to look at what can be done to help households in the Budget, which takes place on 28 October.

What can you do to lower your energy bills?

With colder, darker nights just around the corner, you can’t afford to sit and wait for cost-of-living support to be announced.

Thankfully, there are practical steps you can take if you’re worried about affording your energy bills this winter.

Speak to your energy supplier

Let your supplier know if you’re falling behind with your payments and concerned about how to pay your next bill.

They might be able to offer grants, payment plans and advice on managing your account.

It might also be worth joining the Priority Services Register - a free service that provides extra support to people who need help with their energy supply. 

Save energy at home

Simple energy-saving steps like turning lights off in empty rooms and not overfilling the kettle might not seem like much.

But if you embrace these habits, they could make a meaningful difference to your energy bills.

Check our list of 50 smart energy-saving tips and start saving today.

Create a household budget

Energy is just one essential cost that comes with running a household.

So make sure you know exactly how much money you’ve got coming in each month and where it’s going, so you can prioritise your spending and identify possible savings.

Check our guide to creating a budget to find out more.

Keep a close eye on your bills

Knowing exactly what you’re spending on energy can give you a real sense of control, so check your bills regularly.

You’ll then be better able to manage your budget, see if something’s not quite right and make changes where necessary.

And that could, in turn, help you save money and avoid falling into debt.

Find out what benefits you can claim

You might be eligible for financial support if you’re struggling to keep up with the cost of living.

Give us a call and we can look into what you could claim or use our benefits calculator to find out what you’re entitled to.

It might be more than you think.

Get help with your debts

If you’re feeling weighed down by debt, contact us for confidential, practical and impartial debt advice.