Help remains to be accessible for these battling power payments this winter (Picture: Getty Images)The value of dwelling disaster is about to impression thousands and thousands once more this winter, with power payments set to stay stubbornly excessive despite the drop within the Ofgem worth cap.
The cap will fall to £1,923 for a direct debit buyer from October 1.
This additionally stands at £1,949 for these on prepayment meters, £2,052 for traditional credit score tariffs, and £1,298 for Economy 7 (electricity-only Direct Debit).
But whereas this could be lower than final 12 months, when the Government stepped in to sort out hovering costs with an emergency worth assure of £2,500, individuals’s power payments will nonetheless be a lot steeper than common because the colder months kick in.
Some may additionally discover little distinction to their month-to-month funds, as final 12 months the Government additionally stepped in to offer everyone a £400 low cost off their payments, which knocked them down by round £67 a month.
The low cost resulted in March and there are plans to introduce one other one this winter – however for individuals who are struggling to pay power payments, what assist shall be accessible within the coming months?
What power payments assist is offered in autumn and winter 2023?
If you’re struggling to pay your power payments, and suppose you can have issues this winter, you would possibly nonetheless be capable to profit from the next Government assist:
Warm Home Discount Scheme
This one-off, £150 low cost in your power invoice was paid to eligible prospects between October 2022 and March 2023 – and the scheme is about to run once more this 12 months.
It will re-open in October 2023 – you’ll be able to regulate this web page for updates.
Bills are set to stay stubbornly excessive despite the worth cap drop (Picture: Getty Images)Winter Fuel Payment
This is a one-off fee between £250 and £600, which is normally paid mechanically between November and December yearly.
The quantity you get relies on whenever you had been born and your circumstances between September 18-24 2023 – referred to as the ‘qualifying week’.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for those who had been born earlier than September 25, 1957 – those that qualify ought to obtain a letter between October and November telling them how a lot they’ll get, with the cash mechanically being paid into individuals’s accounts.
You can see a full record of eligibility standards on the Government web site.
Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment is cash paid to these claiming sure advantages throughout spells of chilly climate to offset the price of payments corresponding to heating and sizzling water.
This is paid out if the temperature in your space is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C over seven consecutive days.
You’ll get £25 for every seven day interval of very chilly climate between November 1 and March 31, mechanically paid into your account.
Visit the Government web site to examine for those who’re eligible for this.
More: Money
Cost Of Living fee
The second Cost of Living Payment of £300 will begin arriving from Tuesday, October 31 2023.
Eligible households on means-tested advantages corresponding to Universal Credit, Pension Credit or tax credit, will obtain their fee by November 19 on the newest.
Although not particularly focused at power payments, there are not any restrictions on what this fee can be utilized for – so it may be put in the direction of family prices corresponding to payments if wanted.
Other assist accessible
Depending in your circumstances, you may additionally qualify for the next:
What occurs for those who can’t pay your power payments?
If you’re actually struggling to pay your payments, you must contact your power firm.
Energy knowledgeable Myles Robinson instructed Metro.co.uk final 12 months: ‘Notify [your supplier] that you simply need to repay your debt by a fee plan.
‘They ought to focus on with you methods to pay what you owe them and are available to an settlement. When coming to an settlement, your provider ought to contemplate what you’ll be able to afford to pay based mostly in your earnings, outgoings, and another money owed you’ve gotten.
‘They may even contemplate how a lot power you might be doubtless to make use of sooner or later by your previous utilization.’
If a compensation plan fails, you could be instructed (or compelled) to get a prepayment meter put in.
Most suppliers have signed as much as an settlement known as the ‘Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment’ – you’ll be able to examine on their web site whether or not your provider has carried out so.
If they’ve, they gained’t disconnect you between October 1 and March 31 for those who:
Live with kids below 16
Are disabled
Have long-term well being issues
Have extreme monetary issues
Have kids below 6 years previous dwelling at dwelling
MORE : Midwife paid neighbour’s power invoice for six years after meter mix-up
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