Reduce Your Bills

It's normal to feel rushed to pay the bills that seem most urgent, but some bills are more important than others. Essentials like council tax, rent, gas, electricity, TV licence fees, and court fines should be paid first.

All companies that send bills are expected to be understanding of your situation. They might be able to change your payment plan or temporarily stop collecting payments for up to 30 days.

Talk to your suppliers

If they can’t or won't help, get advice from organisations such as StepChange or National Debtline. An advisor can speak to these companies for you.

Budgeting Advance

You might be able to get a loan as part of your Universal Credit if you need to cover a specific expense - this is called a 'budgeting advance'.

Getting a Universal Credit budgeting advance - Citizens Advice

Claim the Benefits you are entitled to

Use a benefits calculator for an estimate, or contact the benefits team for more details. Please look at our Claim Benefits page for more information.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO 4)

ECO4 has yet to commence, however it applies to measures completed from 1 April 2022 and will cover a four-year period until 31 March 2026. The ECO3 scheme closed on 31 March 2022. Visit Ofgem website for more information.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) | Ofgem

Anglian Water

What are LITE and Extra LITE tariffs and how can they help you? Anglian Water created the LITE and Extra LITE tariffs to support people who have little money left after paying their bills and are struggling to pay their water bill. Find out more on the Anglian Water website.

If you need help paying your water bill, Anglian Water have lots of ways to help. It all starts with completing an Extra Care Assessment with their Extra Care Team.

By completing an Extra Care Assessment, Anglian Water’s specially-trained support team can make sure you’re on the best tariff, create personalised payment plans to help you budget, give you some breathing space if you need some extra time to pay, as well as help guide you towards other help and benefits available.

Find out more and complete an Extra Care Assessment on the Anglian Water website or call Anglian Water's specially trained Extra Care team on 0800 011 3774.

Energy Saving Trust / National Energy Action

The Energy Saving Trust and National Energy Action (NEA) have advice on how to save money on energy bills and access to help to pay energy bills.

GoCompare Interactive Energy Cost Calculator Tool

Wondering if it's cheaper to use a gas or electric oven, or an electric blanket vs. heating? GoCompare’s energy cost calculator lets you compare the cost of running different appliances based on usage time.

Energy Cost Calculator UK | GoCompare

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free and voluntary system that your supplier uses to ensure the correct support is given to its most vulnerable customers. It is designed and overseen by Ofgem for energy and Ofwat for water suppliers, and ensures individuals with special requirements have access to additional support as and when they require it.

Support may vary by supplier and by an individual’s circumstances, but can include:

Advanced notices of planned service interruption
Priority service support during emergencies and unexpected service interruption
Nominee scheme – to nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier
Quarterly meter readings and assistance with billing including large format, Braille and audio letters
Identification and password scheme

You can ask to join your supplier or network operator’s Priority Services Register if you:

have reached state pension age
are pregnant, or have young children
struggle with speaking or reading English

You can also join if you’re living with a disability or a long-term medical condition, including:

mental health conditions
conditions affecting your sight, hearing or sense of smell
conditions that mean you need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply

Help is also available if your circumstances have recently changed, for example if you:

are recovering from an injury, or need support after a stay in hospital
have been bereaved
have lost your job

How to join

Get in touch with your supplier or network operator directly and give them as much information as you can about your needs. You can contact the water supplier for Lincolnshire via the Anglian Water website.

You can contact them online, in writing or by phone. Details on how to do this should be on their website or on your energy bills.

Prepayment meters are not suitable for everyone. There is support available via the eon next website to help you make the most of your prepay meter, including information on how they work, what to do if a fault develops, topping up and emergency credit. Remember, prepayment meters may not be suitable for everyone.

There is support available to help with rising energy costs. Most energy suppliers have funds to help pay off debts and may offer assistance with ongoing bills. They will usually need information about your financial situation. If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, visit your supplier's website or contact them directly.

Help for Individuals: Charis Grants

Extra Care Support - Anglian Water

Independent fuel debt advice – British Gas Energy Trust

OVO Energy Fund | OVO Energy Trust Fund | Charis

E.ON Next Energy Fund

What is the ScottishPower Hardship Fund?

Priority Services Register | Octopus Energy

This scheme is offered by the NHS. If you have a low income, you might be eligible for assistance with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Ofcom provides useful information on how to switch your phone, broadband, and mobile providers. The price comparison sites listed are approved by Ofcom.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/price-comparison

Some providers may offer lower rates for people on benefits. Contact your supplier directly to find out.

The Simple Payment Plan offers flexibility if a payment is missed, as it can be spread across the remainder of the plan instead of having to pay double the amount next time.

Customers are eligible to join the Simple Payment Plan if they:

have been visited by a TV Licensing Enquiry Officer
have previously held a licence that was cancelled within the last six months because of missed payments
are experiencing financial difficulties and are referred by a not-for-profit money advice organisation

For further information visit tvlicensing.co.uk

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