Energy costs
Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS)
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) provides a discount on energy bills for most households.
Under the scheme, most households received a £400 discount to their electricity bill. This was paid in instalments from October 2022 to March 2023.
EBSS alternative funding
This was set up for people who do not pay for their electricity through an electricity supplier and did not receive the £400 discount to their bill direct.
People most likely to be eligible under this scheme include:
- care home residents
- park home residents
- tenants in certain private and social rented homes
- residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites
To apply, you must complete an online application via the Gov.uk website.
Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Funding Scheme
This is for people who use alternative fuels to meet energy costs.
Alternative fuels include:
- biomass
- heating oils
This is an additional £200 to help households who use alternative fuels. Most will receive the payment automatically via their electricity supplier in February. If you do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier there will be an application process which will launch early March.
Details on the scheme can be found online.
Local Energy Advice Programme
Our LEAP page has more information on this programme if you are struggling to pay your bills and find your home is cold LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme).
Better Housing Better Health (BHBH)
BHBH is a charity that’s helps people experiencing fuel poverty. The service is free of charge and open to all residents.
Energy saving tips
Visit Energy Saving Trust to find out how you can save money on your energy bills.
If you are struggling with your energy bills, National Energy Action has tips for maximising your income, as well as energy efficiency advice and support: What to do if you are struggling with your energy bills
Water
Anglian Water’s specially trained extra care support team can create personalised payment plans to help our customers budget, provide some breathing space if they need some extra time to pay, as well as guide them towards other help and benefits available
They also provide a range of free practical support services through their Priority Services Register. Priority Services in place to help lots of people with different needs and is completely free. By signing up, they are made aware of a customer’s circumstance (for example, if they’re living with a disability or going through a life change) and can tailor services to better support peoples needs.
- prioritise their needs if there’s an interruption to their water supply
- help protect customers against bogus callers
- communicate in different languages, including British Sign Language
- send bills in alternative formats, including large print, audio and braille
- knock and wait, giving customers longer to get to the door
Accessing financial support if you use home oxygen equipment
With the rising cost of living, please remember, you can be reimbursed for the electricity used by your oxygen concentrator.
For information on how to access financial support whilst utilising oxygen, please visit the BOC website.
You are also entitled to join the priority services register with your energy supplier which includes:
- priority support in an emergency
- being informed of planned power cuts
Please contact your energy supplier to arrange this if not already in place.
Please visit OFGEM and Asthma and Lung UK for further information.
Avoid and report energy scams
Scammers may sometimes contact you pretending to be from Ofgem. For example, a scammer might call saying they are from Ofgem, suggest you switch and then ask for your bank details. There may also be scams which claim to offer discounts on energy bills.
For more information and to see how to report a scam, please see this page on the Ofgem website Avoid and report energy scams