energy and utilities
Make sure you don’t miss out on cost of living support you are entitled to, find out what is available now.
Financial support:
Most households will have already received a one-off, non-repayable rebate of £150, either paid into the bank account used to pay Council Tax or credited to their Council Tax account.
Households receiving full Council Tax reduction are still entitled to the support. But not everyone has received it because the council (for most believe housing customers, that’s Durham County Council) haven’t been able to arrange direct payment.
If you don’t think you’ve received yours, contact Durham County Council by emailing help@durham.gov.uk or call 03000 260000.
If you live in a different area, contact your local council.
or if not living in Durham County Council area please contact your local council.
Households on means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits will receive a Cost of Living payment of £650 this year.
In the winter months, pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
The Cold Weather Payment allows households in receipt certain benefits (including Pension Credit and Universal Credit) to get an extra £25 per week during the winter if the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days.
If you’re on a low income or receive Pension Credit, then Northumbrian Water may be able to reduce your water bills by up to 50 per cent. For information visit www.nwl.co.uk/supportplus or call 0345 733 5566.
Households on low incomes can apply for social tariffs to help with the costs of broadband in their home.
www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs
Pensioners will receive an extra one-off payment of £300, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Priority services
Energy suppliers and network operators offer a Priority Services Register for those in vulnerable situations.
It ensures you are offered the best rates, get advance notice of planned power cuts, priority support in an emergency, accessible information such as letters in large print or braille, regular meter readings and help with prepayment meter access.
If you’re on the register you can ask for an identification and password scheme to give you confidence callers are genuine, and you can nominate someone you trust to receive communications and bills from your suppliers.
To check you are eligible and to be added to the register contact your energy supplier.