With rising energy costs, 700,000 Brits can access emergency meter top-ups to stay warm this weekend
London: Last winter, over 700,000 people in the UK had to turn off their heating at least once due to high energy costs. Now, with energy prices climbing again, many are feeling the pinch. But there’s some help available.
The new energy price cap is set at £1,738 a year for a typical household using both gas and electricity. That’s a slight increase from the previous cap, which is concerning for many families.
According to the Resolution Foundation, self-disconnection can lead to more than just being cold. It can cause financial stress and feelings of shame, especially when people are waiting for benefits.
Even when people are off the grid, they still rack up bills. Standing charges keep adding up, and if there’s no money on the meter, it can lead to debt. This is often why households end up on pre-payment meters in the first place.
It’s estimated that around four million households using pre-payment meters will need to spend over 30% of their income just to stay warm this winter. Many of these households are already in debt to their energy suppliers, making things even tougher.
The Resolution Foundation points out that families are stuck between spending a huge chunk of their income on heating or living in cold conditions that can harm their health. During the winter months, the energy costs can take up a big part of their budget.
For those struggling, there are several options for assistance from the government and energy companies. Here are a few to consider:
British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund, offering grants up to £2,000 to help with energy debts. You’ll need to get money advice before applying, and they can’t help everyone.
If you can’t top up your meter, British Gas also provides £10 Emergency Credit to keep you going until you can add more funds. Just remember, you’ll need to pay that back with your next top-up.
The Household Support Fund is another option. It’s run by local councils and can help with costs for food, energy, and water. Eligibility varies, but you don’t have to be on benefits to get help.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme offers support to vulnerable households during the cold months. If temperatures drop below 0°C for seven days, you could get £25 a week if you qualify.
Lastly, Octopus Energy also offers £10 emergency credit for both gas and electricity meters. You can activate it easily, but just like with British Gas, it’ll be deducted from your next top-up.
