by BITMO Financial Inclusion Officer Michelle Pearson
British Gas
British Gas are able to install smart meters or pre-payment meters to assist with managing your energy bills. Vulnerable customers are advised to register their details on the Priority Services Register. Customers can also apply for the fuel direct scheme where energy debts are deducted directly from the customers’ benefits. If you are struggling to keep up with current payments British Gas can be contacted on 0800 294 8604 or go to their website.
British Gas also manage the British Gas energy trust. This is a grant giving organisation intended to help customers reduce or clear their energy debts. You do not have to be a customer of British Gas to be eligible to apply for this scheme. Follow this link to apply online.
Eon
Eon are also able to offer free installation of smart meters and pre-payment meters to assist customers in keeping track of their energy usage. Eon have partnered with Paylink to assist customers who are struggling to afford their current energy bills. Eon also has their own grant giving scheme called Eon Next energy fund which gives grants to clear customers current energy debts. You need to be a customer of Eon to be eligible for this scheme. You can apply for the scheme by contacting them on 0808 501 5088 or go to their website.
Eon ran a scheme over winter 2023-2024 for vulnerable customers who were struggling with energy bills. We are still awaiting details of the scheme for winter 2024-2025.
OVO
OVO have a dedicated team who can support customers in debt with setting up repayment plans. They can also offer installation of prepayment meters and smart meters to assist with tracking your energy usage. They also offer the fuel direct scheme for customers who would prefer to have their energy costs deducted directly from their benefits. The team can be contacted on 0330 303 5063/ 0330 175 9669 or go to their website.
Utilita
Utilita have an Extra Care Team who are able to provide advice and support to utilita customers who are struggling with their energy bills. They can also provide top ups in certain situations. The POWER UP scheme allows pre-payment meter customers to top up their meters (£60 maximum on gas and £40 maximum on electric) when they don’t have the funds available. This is then repaid over an agreed period. They can be contacted on 0330 053 5669 or go to their website.
Yorkshire Water
Yorkshire water have several schemes available to assist customers who are either struggling to pay their current bill or are already in debt. Customers can also now request a water meter free of charge which can be removed again within 2 years if the customer doesn’t find this to be a cheaper option for them. It is advisable to contact Yorkshire water to discuss the best scheme to apply for as some schemes cannot be run in conjunction with each other. The contact number is 0345 122 299 or go to their website.
