Other assistance
Clients may be able to get a grant to pay off fuel debts. Some energy suppliers have trust funds to help customers who are in debt or may fund projects for the fuel poor. Grants are available for electricity and gas bills and may also be available to pay other essential household bills.
In response to increasing fuel prices, the British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) launched the British Gas Energy Support Fund and the Individuals and Families Fund to help British Gas customers with debts of £2,000 who have not received a grant from BGET within the previous 12 months.
1See These new funds aim to help those who are most financially vulnerable with their fuel bills.
Auriga Services (which works with utility companies to assist customers who are vulnerable or in financial hardship) publishes a booklet summarising the schemes, called Help with water and energy bills, available at .
Clients can also take steps to help save energy and reduce fuel bills. The Energy Saving Trust offers free advice on ways to reduce fuel consumption and should be aware of grants that are available locally to help cover the cost of energy efficiency measures. See or telephone Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
All suppliers must provide a range of free services (including quarterly meter readings) to clients who are on their Priority Services Register. This is available to clients who:
•have a disability or long-term health condition; or
•are over pension age; or
•have a hearing or sight condition; or
•are pregnant or have children under five; or
•have a mental health condition; or
•have experienced domestic abuse; or
•have extra communication needs – eg, they do not speak or read English well.
See CPAG’s Fuel Rights Handbook for more details.