More Money in Your Pocket

If you're struggling to pay your electricity, gas, water or broadband bill, or are in arrears, there's support you can apply for.

One way to reduce your bill is to reduce the amount of energy that you use. You can contact Green Doctors who offer free impartial advice to help you take control of your bills. This includes them visiting you in your home to check things like your boiler and thermostat to make sure they're running energy efficiently. Where possible, they can fit small energy efficient items to reduce your bill. You can email them at greendoctoryorkshire@groundwork.org.uk to arrange an appointment.

There are also energy saving tips available as part of the Help for Households campaign.

Warm Homes Team

If you're worried about paying your energy bills, or you're struggling to keep your home warm, we can help by giving you advice on making your home warmer and cheaper to run.

We can advise you on:

  • improving your home with energy saving measures
  • energy bills and tariffs
  • energy debt

Fill in our online contact form to ask how we could help you.

Help with energy bills

Support from your energy supplier

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, the first people to speak to are your energy provider. They may have help and support available to help you with your bills or be able to look at the payments you're making.

Citizens Advice Barnsley energy advisors

Citizens Advice Barnsley have dedicated energy advisors. They can help you with any issues and support you with your energy bills.

Fill in their online form to arrange an appointment or visit the Citizens Advice Barnsley website.

British Gas Energy Trust

British Gas Energy Trust are a charitable trust. They're set up to help families and people facing money problems and energy debt.

If you're struggling with your energy bills they may be able to help, no matter who your energy supplier is.

DIAL

If you have a disability or long-term condition and you're struggling to pay your energy bills or need some help switching suppliers, DIAL have energy advisors who can offer one to one advice. They can help you with tackling fuel debt and reducing energy costs. They can help you with talking to your suppliers and applying for warm home discounts and other energy grants.

You can visit the DIAL website for more advice, or call on (01226) 240273. You can also email them at warm.connections@dialbarnsley.org.uk.

Help with water charges

Help from Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water have several different schemes to help with water bills. They can help you to reduce or cap your bill. They also offer grants and debt repayment schemes.

Reduce the water you use

If you have a water meter there are tips to reduce the amount of water you use. This will help reduce the cost of your water bill. They also offer free water saving packs that can help.

Help with your broadband, mobile and landline

Social tariffs

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them 'essential' or 'basic' broadband.

They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.

Help with your mobile

Barnsley Libraries are working with the Good Things Foundation on an initiative called National Databank. They'll be giving out free SIMs and mobile data to local people living in data poverty.

The National Databank scheme is supported by UK mobile networks. This includes Vodafone, O2 and Three.

If you're a Barnsley resident and meet the criteria, you can register your interest to take part in the scheme. Find out more about the National Databank scheme.