EON, OVO and other energy users could get £300 support with bills | Personal Finance | Finance

Households have been urged to build up their energy credit going into the winter as bills increase, with five million low-income households currently with no energy credit.

Resarch from Uswitch.com found that one in 10 homes (11%) with yearly income of less than £20,000 already owe money to their energy supplier – be it EON, OVO, British Gas or someone else – with an average of £163 owed.

Billpayers should aim to build up energy credit over the summer as a cushion for during the colder months of the year.

However, the picture across the nation is more positive with just eight percent of household in energy debt going into winter down from 11 percent last year.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, said: “Households use more energy over the winter, so for the majority paying via direct debit it’s ideal to have a cushion of about two months’ worth of energy credit at this point in the year.

“It’s worrying that five million of the lowest-income households are going into winter with no buffer against higher bills.

“If your energy account is going into debt or you are behind on your bill payments, speak to your supplier as soon as possible. Our eligibility guide is a quick and easy way to see if you might be entitled to additional support such as hardship funds and other energy help schemes.

“While it’s important that vulnerable customers can access the help already out there, we urge the Government to consider what more could be done for those most in need.”

You can use Uswitch’s eligibility guide to see if you can claim any energy bills support, available here.

You may also want to contact your energy supplier to see if they provide grants or have a hardship fund for those in debt or who are otherwise struggling financially.

Energy help available to households

Warm Home Discount – £150

• Who can get it – Those who receive certain means-tested benefits
• Available for people in Scotland, England and Wales

Winter Heating Payment – £58.75

• Who can get it – Low-income households on certain means-tested benefits
• Available for people in Scotland only

Child Winter Heating Payment – £251.50

• Who can get it – Children under-19 who receive certain disability benefits
• Available for young people in Scotland only

Winter Fuel Payment – £200 or £300

• Who can get it – People over State Pension age receiving means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit
• Available for people in Scotland, England and Wales

Cold Weather Payment – £25 per seven day cold weather spell

• Who can get it – People who receive Pension Credit and don’t live in a care home, those on certain benefits
• Available for people England and Wales only.