Scam alert
Please be aware of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about Winter Fuel Payments. The messages ask you to click on suspicious links or reply to confirm details. This is a scam to encourage you to share your personal details.
If you're eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you'll receive a letter from the Government in October or November, advising you how much you'll receive and the payment will be made automatically - you don't need to apply.
Please remember:
- Don't click the link or reply - forward the message to 7726 (free of charge) to report it as malicious.
- If you've disclosed any personal information or lost money, inform your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
- The Government will never ask you for your personal or bank details, PIN or passwords over the phone, via texts or in an email.
The cost of living is rising, and more people are struggling to afford the basics. We want to help you save money where you can, and have provided lots of advice and information to lower and manage your household bills.
If you’re finding things difficult and would like support with your household bills, get in touch by calling 0300 5000 926 or emailing supportforyou@sng.org.uk and our friendly, trained team can offer more help.
Keeping costs down and financial support
- Submit meter readings: If you don’t have a smart meter, ensure you submit your meter readings so you’re being charged for what you’re using, not an estimate.
- Time your heating and hot water: If you can, use your timer and set the hot water and heating to come on when you need them, rather than being on all the time.
- Retain the heat: Move big items of furniture so they’re not blocking the radiators; use draught excluders in front of doors; and open your curtains during the day to let in the sunlight (and free heat!) and close them when the sun goes down.
- Standby appliances: Unplug or turn off electronics at the wall when they’re not in use, because even in standby mode, they can consume energy.
- Lighting: Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Shorter showers: Reduce water consumption and energy usage by taking shorter showers.
- Don't overfill the kettle: Only boil the amount of water you need to save energy.
- Washing and dishwashing: Try to use your washing machine/dishwasher only when you have enough to fill it, and use your washing machine on a cooler wash cycle.
- Make use of microwaves and air fryers: Around 3% of the home’s energy use comes from cooking - but using an air fryer or microwave can cost less than using a conventional oven to cook the same meal.
- Turn down your thermostat: Turn down your thermostat on your heating. Just a slight reduction in the thermostat can make a difference to your bill!
- Use a lid: When cooking, keep the lids on your saucepans.
- Storage heaters: If you have a storage heater, watch our video guide on using it effectively to save money.
Please note: we do not encourage you to turn off any extractor fans you have in your home to save on electricity. These fans do not use up much electricity and by turning them off, you may cause excess condensation, which can lead to damp and mould.
- Grants from energy suppliers: Many energy suppliers offer grants or financial support to help you manage. See what support is available from your energy providers: British Gas , Scottish Power , Ovo Energy , E.ON Energy Fund and E.ON Next Energy Fund , EDF Energy , Octopus .
- Use a prepayment meter?: If you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter, ask your energy supplier for ‘emergency credit’. You can also ask your local council or a food bank if there are fuel vouchers available.
- Government support: The government has announced a range of support to help with the rising cost of living and an energy price cap is also in place. Find out more about this and what cost of living support you could be eligible for on the government's Help For Households webpage. There are also other payment plans, schemes, grants and benefits on the Ofgem website .
Remember that gas and electricity companies cannot cut off your supply unless they have first offered you a range of payment methods to help you pay. They can only disconnect your supply as a last resort and they must give you proper notice first.
You may be entitled to a council tax discount or rebate - find out more information on the types of discounts available . Contact your local council to apply for a discount.
You may be able to able to access a cheaper 'social tariff' broadband and phone package if you claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.
You can also cut costs on your TV services by making the most of Freeview, switching streaming plan and finding the best digital TV deal - and save on your broadband deal too.
Check if you have an exemption from paying NHS costs . An NHS exemption certificate helps you to pay for your NHS costs, such as prescriptions or dental treatment.
Pocket Power - book a call and save money
You can also use Pocket Power, a telephone service that can help you save money on your household bills. They look at more than just gas and electric - you can save on water, broadband and mobile phones too. With energy prices soaring globally, the impact of price rises will depend on your energy supplier and tariff.