UK Government Energy Bills Support Scheme: All households to start receiving £400 off their energy bills from October, with the discount made in 6 instalments to help families throughout the winter period. The £400 discount, administered by energy suppliers, will be paid to consumers over 6 months with payments starting from October 2022, to ensure households receive financial support throughout the winter months.
Those with a domestic electricity meter point paying for their energy via standard credit, payment card and direct debit will receive an automatic deduction to their bills over the 6 month period – totalling £400.
Traditional prepayment meter customers will be provided with Energy Bill discount vouchers from the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post, using the customer’s registered contact details. These customers will need to take action to redeem these at their usual top-up point, such as their nearest local PayPoint or Post Office branch.
NB There are scammers reaching out to people asking for financial and personal information. It is important to ensure you DO NOT Supply this information and report any suspected scams or suspicious activity at www.scamwatch.scot.
You do not need to get in contact with your energy supplier, as all domestic energy customers will be automatically eligible. Those who have not received their first instalment by the end of October should reach out to their energy supplier for more information.
The ‘energy cap’ is a confusing term in that energy bills are not capped at £2500. There is no cap on overall bills – if you use lots of energy you will still have a large bill. Why the ‘energy price cap’ is confusing – and how it could be better communicated explains what the cap actually means and how it could be better communicated.
Home Energy Scotland provides independent advice for homeowners on:
- Reducing your energy bills
- Making your home warmer
- Planning home improvements
- Details of energy grants that will make your home more energy efficient including replacement boilers, draught-proofing, loft and cavity wall insulation etc.
Call 0808 808 2282 Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.
Warmer Homes Scotland You can get help with home improvements if you’re struggling to heat your home and you get certain benefits. The help you’re able to get depends on what benefits you’re on. Help you could get includes:
- wall insulation
- loft insulation
- draught-proofing
- boilers and heating
- renewable and micro-renewable heating system
- solar panels
- domestic battery storage
- air source heat pumps
Call 0808 808 2282
Energy Saving Trust Scotland Provides information to help you save energy and reduce your bills. They have partnered with Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and will provide tailored advice for you. For more advice call 0808 808 2282. Lines are open Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm, and Saturday 9am – 5pm. Please note the phone lines are often quite busy in the evenings and at weekends. Alternatively you can send an email to the Energy Saving Trust. They aim to be in touch within 5-10 working days.
Fuel Bank Foundation Can help you with money for your pre-payment meter
Greener Scotland Gives advice on how to save energy, reduce waste, travel smarter and eat greener
Home Heating Support Fund Can help you pay your energy bills by:
- sending a payment to your supplier
- giving you an energy voucher that you can use to pay your bills
You can get this help even if you use:
- a pre-payment meter
- a credit meter
- a district heating network
- unregulated fuels
