Tomorrow is energy bill D-day as the price rise kicks in for millions.
The government has announced it will spend billions to cap domestic bills and prevent them going even higher but many will still feel the pinch.
Under the new system, a typical household’s energy bill will rise from £1,971 to £2,500 a year, double the figure in comparison to last winter.
Below are some ways to make sure people are paying the right bills which can help with the cost of living crisis.
Meter reading checks
Contact your energy supplier – by phone, online or through their app – to give them precise meter readings.
If you don’t give your readings, you face being overcharged because your supplier will estimate it instead.
The deadline is tomorrow, October 1, but Energy UK says that doesn’t mean you have to give the reading that day. Your supplier will accept readings a few days before or after that date.
However, with so many people trying to log their readings, you’re better off doing it sooner rather than later.
Energy websites are already crashing and users are facing long waits to submit readings today.
Citizens Advice provides helpful information about how to read a meter.
An advantage of keeping tabs on energy meter readings is being able to keep tabs on energy use and find out where it is possible to save money.
Other simple measures like turning down the thermostat by one degree, ensuring the home is well insulated and switching lights off can all help to save money.
What am I entitled to?
Every household is set to get a £400 one-off payment from October to help towards energy bills.
This help is expected to be spread across six months – with a reduction of £66 in October and November, and £67 every month between December and March 2023.
There is no need to apply for this scheme as every household in England, Wales and Scotland is eligible for the grant.
If you’re still struggling, the Citizens Advice benefits calculator can provide information on what you’re entitled to.
Those who are usually eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 in November or December.
A £150 energy rebate is also available to households in England, Scotland and Wales, and all homes in council tax bands A to D, or up to E if a householder has a disability.
If you haven’t received the payment by the end of today, contact your local council.
People on jobseeker’s allowance, income support, pension credit or universal credit are eligible for certain schemes.
JobCentre Plus or the Pension Service can also arrange energy bills to be paid to the company directly from benefits schemes.
What to do if you can’t pay
Contact your energy supplier.
British Gas, Octopus and Scottish Power are among some of the energy companies offering grants to customers unable to afford energy bills and National Debtline also offers helpful advice.
People who are in debt may be forced to a prepayment meter, which is the more expensive way of paying.
Citizens Advice warns almost half a million people could be in this position over the winter.
While the government says a typical household can expect to pay £2,500 a year, this is not a limit on how much people will actually pay.
This figure for a ‘typical’ household has been worked out by using a new limit on unit prices of 34p per kWh of electricity and 10.3p per kWh of gas for dual-fuel customers on a standard variable tariff.
But most households are not ‘typical’ and the final bill will actually depend on how much energy is consumed.
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