Thursday 22nd July
As part of the Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo weekly advice column we focus on certain benefits, grants and schemes that may help with the cost of living crisis
Get a one-off payment from the government
The government will give every household in Great Britain £400 off their electricity bill. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back. The £400 will be automatically added to your energy account over 6 months starting from October 2022. If you have a prepayment meter, the £400 will be added to your meter or you’ll be given vouchers – the government will confirm how you’ll get the money nearer the time.
Check if you can get a fuel voucher
You might be able to get a voucher to help pay for your energy. You might be able to get a voucher to help pay for your energy if either:
- you use a prepayment meter
- you don’t use gas or electricity for your heating
If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter
You might be able to get a fuel voucher. This is a code given to you in a letter or in a text message or email. You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don’t have one of these, contact your supplier to get one.
You can use a fuel voucher at:
- a shop signed up to PayPoint – find a shop near you on the PayPoint website
- a Post Office or shop signed up to Payzone – find a Post Office or shop near you on the Payzone website
To use your voucher you’ll need to take:
- the code and instructions
- some form of ID – for example, your passport or a bill with your name and address
- You must use your fuel voucher within 3 months after you get it.
- If you have problems using your voucher, contact the organisation that gave it to you – you should be able to find their contact information on the instructions.
- If you don’t use gas or electricity for your heating
You might be able to get a fuel voucher if you:
- rely on oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal or wood as your main source of heating
- aren’t on the gas grid
- You’ll need to show that you can’t heat your home because you can’t afford to buy fuel – or you might not be able to afford it soon.
Talk to an adviser if you need a voucher. Your local Citizens Advice here in Exeter will need to apply for you.
For more information and advice go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The information contained in these articles does not constitute advice. Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo accept no liability for the information published. Citizens Advice Exeter is unable to respond to individual requests for advice through these columns. Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk