Rising bills help.
The ongoing energy crisis and rising bills has customers facing a difficult winter. We understand this impacts many of you and especially those that are vulnerable. This is why we wanted to reassure you that we are dedicated to helping you where we can. We have put together some helpful resources where you can access support from both us and the government.
E.ON Next Energy Fund.
The E.ON Next Energy Fund has been created to help our customers who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling. There are two ways this fund can help and support you:
To help with paying your gas and electricity bills through grants.
To replace appliances such as a cooker, fridge, fridge-freezer or washing machine if yours is broken or in poor condition.
Find out if you’re eligible for the fund.
The Priority Services Register.
If you need extra help with managing your energy account, we can add you to our Priority Services Register. If you or someone in your household is elderly, disabled or chronically sick, or if you have a speech, visual or hearing impairment we offer a range of services that will help.
Homes for Living.
Homes for Living is a scheme designed to support your mobility, wellbeing and independence, offering free and attractive home aids and equipment designed to give you more freedom in your home. We've secured Government funding and we're working in partnership with Invisible Creations® and Newcastle University. Find out if you are eligible for Homes for Living.
Debt-advice resources.
There are also external debt advice resources you can get through Citizens Advice and StepChange. If you are also worried about how money can have an impact on your mental health. We advise you to talk to our charity partner Mind.
Help paying your bills with Paylink.
We’ve partnered with Paylink, a company who specialise in helping customers to understand and take control of their finances. Set up an account and then follow the step-by-step process to create your personal budget. Paylink will let us know when you’ve created your budget and we’ll use this information to help and support you with an affordable payment plan tailored to your needs. We’ll also be able to let you know if you’re eligible for other financial support. Please use this link to set up an online account and complete your budget form today - the sooner you can provide us with this information, the sooner we can help.
Understanding your bill - Energy Bites
Your bill has arrived, but you're unsure what it all means? We’ve got you with our Energy Bites series! Our Energy Specialists are on hand to help you through each step of the process.
£400 Energy Bills Support Scheme.
The measure from government provides £400 off electricity bills for domestic customers across England, Wales and Scotland. Known as the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) this money will be credited to customers accounts between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. This money will not need to be paid back. There’s more information on our dedicated Energy Bills Support Scheme web page. This government scheme ended on 31 March 2023. Other help available from 5 April 2023:
A £900 payment will be made to more than eight million low-income households who receive Universal Credit, tax credits, pension credit and other means-tested benefits. This is an increase from £650 for the last year. The first payment of £301 will be made in the spring, £300 in the autumn and a final £299 in the spring of 2024.
6 million households with disabilities will receive a £150 cost of living payment in the summer (same as 2022).
8 million pensioner households will receive £300 (same as 2022) during the winter of 2023-24.
The above measures announced by the government are for the tax year 2023-24 were announced in the Autumn Statement (17 November 2022). These took effect on 5 April 2023.
In the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023 the Chancellor announced that benefits will increase from April 2024 by 6.7%, the inflation rate for September 2023. This applies to working-age benefits such as means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, and disability benefits.
Energy Price Guarantee.
The government has replaced Ofgem's price cap with an Energy Price Guarantee that sets the unit price that we can charge for your energy. So although your total bill will still be determined by how much energy you use, your prices won't rise by as much as previously expected under the price cap. Visit our dedicated web page for full details of the government's Energy Price Guarantee. This government scheme ends on 31 March 2024.
Warm Home Discount.
The Warm Home Discount is there to help those who are struggling to keep up with their energy payments. Customers on the scheme will get a one-off, annual discount of £150 (inclusive of VAT) on their electricity bill. It’s a scheme supported by the government and energy suppliers. The Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2023/24 is now open. If you live in England or Wales you don't need to apply anymore, however if you live in Scotland and think you're part of the Broader Group you'll need to apply. Find out if you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
Cold Weather Payment.
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024.
Contact our Energy Specialists if you're having difficulty.
Our Energy Specialists are here to help if you're concerned about the impact of the price cap rise on your energy bills. If you're struggling to pay, please visit our help page to find out more about how we can support you. You can reach out to our Energy Specialists for personal advice on Facebook and X (Twitter). You can also find tried and tested energy saving tips over on our energy saving page.