Charities
Some charities, particularly charities for ex-service personnel, offer help to meet fuel bills. It is helpful if an advice agency or social worker can write to the charity to explain your circumstances. The Charities Digest (available in reference libraries) lists relevant charities. Another useful book is A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need. Your local reference library also may be able to help locate useful local charities.
Turn2us () is a charitable service that can help you access grants and financial help and has an online benefits calculator.
Some Trussell Trust food banks can also give fuel vouchers to help people in fuel crisis by providing funds to pay for up to two weeks’ gas and electricity, alongside emergency food.
However, the demand for charitable payments is high. It is likely that many charities will refuse to help with fuel debts if Fuel Direct or some other budgeting scheme is available. If you are on a means-tested benefit (eg, universal credit), check that a charitable payment does not affect your benefit.