As your Member of Parliament, I understand the pressure on everyone caused by inflated global energy prices. The Government has stepped in provide unprecedented support to households this winter and other organisations have also set out help that they have made available to those in need.
You can find details of support relating to all of the schemes below.
Support for Households:
Government:
In May 2022, the Government announced £15 billion of support in the Energy Bill Rebate Package. Please see some of the measures listed below:
- Energy Bill Discount - £400 off energy bills for households in Great Britain from this October. This automatic, non-repayable discount will be applied in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023 to help households through winter.
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Energy Bill Relief Scheme - Discounts will be applied to energy usage initially between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. For all non-domestic energy users in Great Britain this government supported price has been set at: £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.
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Cost of Living Payment - Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 this year. This will be made automatically in two instalments, one in summer and another in the autumn, and is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.
- Disability Cost of Living Payment - Individuals on disability benefits will receive a one-off £150 payment in September to help with extra costs, such as for specialist equipment or transport. This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means tested benefits.
- Pensioner Cost of Living Payment - In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills. This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
For further information on the Government’s measures to support with energy bills please click here.
Energy Companies:
Many suppliers are also providing a variety of support to help people struggling with energy bills.
West Sussex County Council:
West Sussex County Council has set up a Community Hub. To request support from the Hub, including accessing the Household Support Fund, and where to get advice, click here.
Further support from other organisations:
- Citizens Advice can assist people with a wide range of matters from financial advice to smart ways to reduce their cost of living.
- Money Helper is a service which provides an extensive guide on money managing strategies and their guide contains budgeting tips for dealing with the energy price increase.
- Other Services which may be able to support people who are struggling include the Money Advice Service, National Debtline and StepChange Debt Charity
- AgeUK has useful information on the support you may be eligible for, see https://bit.ly/3yz3ErK. They also have a free advice line on 0800 055 6112. Lines are open 8am - 7pm, 365 days a year.