Get help with your energy bills

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, it's worth talking to your energy supplier about setting up a payment plan that works for you. On this page, you'll find some other advice and support you can use to help with energy bills.

Southampton Healthy Homes

Southampton Healthy Homes is the city’s affordable warmth programme. Managed by Southampton City Council and delivered by a team of experienced energy advisors at the Environment Centre (tEC), Southampton Healthy Homes offers support and advice to residents who are finding it difficult to pay their energy bills. Southampton Healthy Homes can help people reduce their bills, get in touch with their supplier, apply for energy and water bill discounts and access funding for home energy upgrades such as heating improvements, insulation and draught proofing. Please contact tEC on their Freephone number, 0800 804 8601 or visit the Environment Centre for more information.

GOV.UK support

There is various types of support you can learn more about on GOV.UK, including:

• The Warm Home Discount Scheme, which could get you £150 off of your electricity bill
• Cold Weather Payments, which are paid for extremely low temperatures
• The Winter Fuel Payment, which is available to anyone claiming a state pension

Further support

• British Gas Energy Trust provides grants for customers in utility bill arrears, irrespective of energy company
• The Environment Centre website has lots of advice on how to cut your energy costs and make your home warmer
• National Energy Action (NEA) offers free advice and support on household energy bills
• There is also advice on how to get support with energy bills from Ofgem

Pre-payment vouchers for non-smart meters

Do you top up a traditional (non-smart) pre-payment meter to pay for your energy?

• You should have received at least three government energy support vouchers - two for £66 and another for £67
• Vouchers will have been sent by post, text message or email. They must be redeemed within three months
• To use a pre-payment voucher, take it to your local Post Office or PayPoint shop and add the credit to your gas or electricity top-up card or key
• Haven't received your vouchers or having trouble using them? Money Saving Expert explains what to do

Saving money on your energy bills

Advice in Southampton have produced a series of YouTube videos which offer advice about reducing your energy use.

You can view the full series here. There is also a page with advice about how to be energy efficient.

Keeping warm

If you have concerns about keeping warm, the Southampton Healthy Homes programme, in partnership with the Environment Centre may also be able to help.

If you begin to struggle with Council Tax payments, please contact us immediately. We can offer options that could help your circumstances, such as:

• Spreading your payments over 12 months instead of 10
• Adding a discount or exemption on to your Council Tax account. Find out more about discounts and exemptions
• Setting up a payment plan to pay the outstanding amount
• If you have a low income or receive a benefit, you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction

Remember: If you apply for a discount after receiving a bill, you will still have to pay the full amount until we make a decision. If a discount is awarded, you will receive an amended bill within 15 working days after applying.

• Southern Water has a few different schemes to support you if you're struggling to pay your water bill. This includes discounts on your bill and help to pay off debt. They also offer WaterSure which allows you to have your water bills capped if you are on certain benefits
• You might be able to get a cheap phone and broadband deal. This is called a social tariff. Check Ofcom's website to see which deal is best for you.

If you are worried about paying for your TV licence visit the TV Licensing website and check if you are eligible to apply for the Simple Payment Plan.