Fuel Support
Find out more about the support in your area
Help to heat your home:
- Prepayment meters – if you are unable to top up your prepayment meter, Citizens Advice can offer you advice and may be able to refer you for charitable support. You can also contact Warm Homes Healthy People Suffolk for support, advice and an in home survey from a Pre Pay Coordinator. Call 07769 365796 or email prepay@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.
- Local Welfare Assistance Scheme – This hardship grant offers payments up to £300 towards the cost of essentials, including energy. Visit the Suffolk County Council website for more information and to apply.
- Surviving Winter - offers help, such as fuel vouchers or support for alternative fuels like oil and LPG, to help you heat your home. Apply online via the Citizens Advice Ipswich website or call 01473 298634 to find out if you are eligible.
- Emergency Heating – if your home currently has no heating, Warm Homes Healthy People can provide free emergency heaters and help you find longer term support. Call 03456 037 686 or email whhp@eastsuffolk.gov.uk. Subject to availability.
- Warm Homes Healthy People Suffolk - offers free efficiency surveys and advice to help you use less energy. If you are a private tenant or homeowner, they can also tell you if you are eligible for energy efficiency grants. For more information visit www.warmhomessuffolk.org or call 03456 037 686.
- National Energy Action - runs a Warm and Safe Homes helpline which advises on ways to reduce energy use and improve efficiency. It also offers support to switch suppliers and advice if you get behind on payments. Call 0800 304 7159 or visit www.nea.org.uk .
- Oil loans - Eastern Savings and Loan Credit Union offer interest-free loans of £500 to help spread the upfront cost of oil and LPG. To become a member and apply visit www.eslcu.co.uk or call 03336 000690. Subject to a manual decision process, affordability and a credit check.
- Oil buying clubs – Bulk buying reduces the cost of your heating oil. Find out if your community has an oil buying club by visiting www.oil-club.co.uk, you can also check the Community Action Suffolk website for details of their scheme www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk or call 01603 881 888.
- Supplier grants - many energy suppliers have grants to reduce or clear debt if you meet their criteria. Speak to your energy supplier to see what help you can get.
- Citizens Advice - offers advice for energy, debt and more. They can support you to create a budget, negotiate with your supplier and boost your income.
- Benefit entitlement – payments such as Warm Homes Discount, Cold Weather Payments, and extra Winter Fuel Payments can add up to hundreds of pounds to help you pay your energy bills – but you’ll need to be claiming certain benefits to get them. Benefit checks can be done online at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators, or by contacting your local Citizens Advice.
Bringing down your bills:
- Warm Homes Healthy People Suffolk - offers free efficiency surveys and advice to help you use less energy. If you are a private tenant or homeowner, they can also tell you if you are eligible for energy efficiency grants. For more information visit www.warmhomessuffolk.org or call 03456 037 686.
- National Energy Action - runs a Warm and Safe Homes helpline which advises on ways to reduce energy use and improve efficiency. It also offers support to switch suppliers and advice if you get behind on payments. Call 0800 304 7159 or visit www.nea.org.uk .
Help for off-gas homes:
- Oil loans - Eastern Savings and Loan Credit Union offer interest-free loans of £500 to help spread the upfront cost of oil and LPG. To become a member and apply visit www.eslcu.co.uk or call 03336 000690. Subject to a manual decision process, affordability and a credit check.
- Oil buying clubs – Bulk buying reduces the cost of your heating oil. Find out if your community has an oil buying club by visiting www.oil-club.co.uk, you can also check the Community Action Suffolk website for details of their scheme www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk or call 01603 881 888.
Dealing with energy debt:
- Supplier grants - many energy suppliers have grants to reduce or clear debt if you meet their criteria. Speak to your energy supplier to see what help you can get.
- Citizens Advice - offers advice for energy, debt and more. They can support you to create a budget, negotiate with your supplier and boost your income.
- Benefit entitlement – payments such as Warm Homes Discount, Cold Weather Payments, and extra Winter Fuel Payments can add up to hundreds of pounds to help you pay your energy bills – but you’ll need to be claiming certain benefits to get them. Benefit checks can be done online at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators, or by contacting your local Citizens Advice.
More information
Visit www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/energy-fuel-and-utilities for more resources to help you keep fuel and utility costs down.
If you would like help to access the internet, or to use a computer, phone or tablet, you can contact Mid Suffolk’s Digital Skills team 0300 123 4 000, option 7, who can help you find support in your area.