Help with your fuel bills

							                               Help with your fuel bills


1. Start providing meter readings. Provide meter readings to your fuel supplier at least once
   every three months. This is your responsibility and it could significantly reduce your future bills, as
   you will only pay for what you use. You may also benefit from a £2.00 discount per bill for reading
   the meter yourself.

2. Pay up to 15% less for your gas and electricity. If you are an EDF customer and in receipt
   of Income Support, Pension Credit or Job Seekers Allowance, you can apply for EDF’s ‘ Energy
   Assistance Tariff Scheme’ call 0800 096 9000.

3. Pay by Direct Debit. This is the cheapest way of paying your bill and if you use the same
   supplier for your gas and electricity, you could also benefit from a dual fuel discount. To check if
   you are getting the best deal for your fuel go to www.energywatch.org.uk. If you choose this
   method of payment, it is very important that you provide regular meter readings so you don’t pay
   too much.

4. Spread the cost of your bill. If you can’t pay by Direct Debit and are having difficulty paying
   your bill, call your supplier and ask if you can arrange to spread the cost of your bill over a longer
   period. Some suppliers may also offer a card facility to enable you to pay a small amount each
   week or fortnight to help you budget.

5. Use your key meter and storage heaters efficiently. Do you know how to use your storage
   heaters? Contact your fuel supplier for guides on how to use your pre-payment meter, storage
   heaters and information on energy efficiency measures.

6. Apply for a grant worth £2,700. There is a wealth of heating and insulation grants available to
   keep your fuel bills permanently low. Contact your fuel supplier for the latest deals. You could also
   contact Brighton and Hove Energy Action Partnership on 0800 107 4100 and EAGA on 0800 316
   6019 for information about other energy efficiency grants. Alternatively, visit the Energy Saving
   Trust website to find out which grants are available in your area. www.est.org.uk

7. Grants to pay your bill. Apply for a grant to clear your fuel debts, visit www.charisgrants.co.uk
   to find out which companies offer financial assistance. Companies include EDF Energy and British
   Gas.

   If you are experiencing difficulties paying your bill and you need to speak to sympathetic staff, EDF
   customers should call 0800 085 9911

Southern Water customers:

1. Assisted Tariff: If you are a customer of Southern Water and you have a water meter, you could
   get your annual water bill capped at £299 a year. To be eligible, you need to in receipt of certain
   benefits such as Housing benefit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance
   and have 3 children or more or have a medical condition that requires you to use a lot of water.
   To apply, call: 0845 273 0845

2. New Start Scheme: If you have a water debt over £750 and you have not made a payment for a
   while, you could have your arrears reduced. Every payment you make towards your on-going
   charges, Southern Water will reduce your debt by the equivalent amount.
   To apply, call: 0845 274 0845.

3. High annual bill?. If your household bill is more than £299 a year, consider having a water meter
   fitted. To find out if you could save money by having a water meter, visit www.buy.co.uk. You have
   a right to a metered water supply and meters will be installed free of charge. You can only get a
   meter removed within the first 12 months. To apply, call 0845 270 0845

Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau                                                        May 2006