Fuel

Utility bills such as gas, electricity and water can take up a large part of your income.

There are ways listed below to help you reduce your bills, but if you need help please contact us or drop into a Hub for more information.

 

Gas and Electric Bills

Utility bills can be very high and can take a large amount from your income.

If you are in debt with your gas or electric bill contact your supplier as many run schemes to help people in debt. We can also help you apply.

National Energy Action (NEA) -the national fuel poverty charity

Provides support for a range of energy related issues including switching suppliers, helping with fuel debt, applying for trust funds, energy efficiency and water rates.

Telephone 0800 304 7159

Cold Weather Payment

A £25 payment for each 7-day period between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025 when temperatures are below 0 degrees Celsius. Payments are made automatically into bank accounts.

To be eligible you must be in receipt of  a means tested benefit as well as other conditions.

Winter Fuel Payments 2024

A one-off payment into your bank account to help with the cost of fuel bills. If you are a couple, only one payment is made.

• £200 if you or your partner were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if you or your partner were born before 23 September 1944

Eligibility

You must be born before 23 September 1958 and get:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• ESA(IR)
• JSA(IB)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit/ Working Tax Credit

You must have been getting this benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.

Payments will be made automatically. If you are eligible, you will get a letter in October or November telling you how much you will get, with payments made in November or December.

Telephone 0800 371 0160

Warm Home Discount 2024

Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £150, taken off your electricity bill. This is automatic – you do not have to apply.  If you are on a pre-payment meter your supplier will tell you how to get the discount if you are eligible.

Eligibility- You must have a direct electricity supplier and live in an eligible domestic premises.  This scheme does not cover Park Homes or those who are billed for electricity by a third party.

Core Group 1

• Those in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit on 11^th August 2024
• No energy criteria or other qualifying criteria

Core Group 2

• You must be in receipt of a means tested benefit on 11^th August 2024 and,

Your home must meet the High Energy Costs Criteria.

Telephone 0800 731 0160

Fuel Direct Scheme

If you are in debt with fuel bills you may be able to repay this debt by having a fixed amount taken directly from your benefits, instead of having a prepayment meter fitted.

You should speak to the Job Centre or Pension Service who will contact your energy supplier. You can also ask for ongoing bills to be paid direct from your benefits.

NEST

Provides free, impartial advice to make sure you are on the best energy and water tariff, lower your carbon footprint, install low carbon technology and check benefit entitlement.

Customers may be eligible for home energy efficiency improvements such as :

• Insulation
• A heat pump
• Solar panels

Telephone 0808 808 2244

Great British Insulation Scheme (was ECO+)

Energy efficient upgrades available through this scheme include:

• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Loft Insulation
• Underfloor insulation

Each product has its own criteria, including if you are a homeowner or tenant, as well as qualifying benefits and income. It also depends on the type of property you live in.

ECO4 LA Flex

Funding is available for energy efficiency measures including cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation and smart thermostats.

Eligibility

Includes being in receipt of qualifying benefits, having a household income of less than £31k and living in an energy inefficient home.

Cardiff Council has partnered with EON for the delivery of ECO4 LA Flex.

Energy Trusts and Customer Support Funds

They can help you to:

• pay gas and energy debts and other householder debts e.g. rent arrears, council tax
• purchasing essential items e.g. washing machines and cookers
• provide other forms of financial assistance such as deposits and funeral expenses

You should check if your energy supplier runs a scheme. If it does, you can apply online, or we can refer customers to our partners for help completing the form.

If your supplier it doesn’t run a scheme, you may be able to apply to  British Gas Energy Trust.

OFGEM

The energy regulator and provides support and information. There is also information about making complaints about your energy company.

Welsh Water 

If you are on a low income, have a large family or have disabilities or health conditions that mean you use more water, you may qualify for a reduced water bill.

If you’re in severe debt with Welsh Water, we can help you make an application to their customer assistance fund to help reduce what you owe if you are unable to do this yourself.

Priority Services Register

If you have a baby,  an illness that requires water, have sight or hearing difficulties or are elderly or disabled you can get extra help. The Welsh Water Priority Services Register means you get help with:

• Alternative water supply if your supply is interrupted
• Alternative ways of getting information
• Reassurance against bogus callers