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, as part of the Help for Households campaign. There are some more energy saving tips on this page.

Help with energy bills

Citizens Advice Barnsley energy advisors

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

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

Energy Price Guarantee

The Energy Price Guarantee limits the amount you can be charged per unit of gas or electricity. This means your exact bill amount will continue to depend on how much energy you use.

If you’re on a standard variable tariff.  Then the average unit price for dual fuel customers on standard variable tariffs, subject to Ofgem’s price cap, paying by direct debit will be limited.  This will be 34.0p/kWh for electricity and 10.3p/kWh for gas. This is inclusive of VAT, from 1 October.

This means that the average household will pay around £2500 per year. If you use more energy than the average household your bill will be higher. If you're on a pre-payment meter then the cost per unit you pay may also be slightly higher.

For full details please see your energy supplier or visit the energy bills support factsheet.

Energy bill discount

The Energy Bills Support Scheme will give a £400 discount off energy bills for households in Great Britain from October 2022.

There's no need to apply for this scheme. This is an automatic discount which will be made in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023.

If you're on a traditional prepayment meter, each voucher must be redeemed within 90 days of when it was issued. All six vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023. If you've not received your vouchers or they've expired, please contact your electricity supplier who'll be able to re-issue the voucher.

Support from your energy supplier

If you're struggling financially please contact your energy provider.

They may be able to offer vouchers or may have other support and schemes to help.

British Gas Energy Trust

British Gas Energy Trust are a charitable trust. 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.

Cost of Living Payments

If you get certain benefits or tax credits you may be eligible for one of the following Cost of Living payments:

  • low income benefits and tax credits Cost of Living Payment
  • Disability Cost of Living Payment
  • pensioner Cost of Living Payment

The payments aren't taxable and won't affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

You don't need to apply - if you’re eligible you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date. If you've had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.

Read the guidance about cost of living payments from the government website:

You can also check what benefits and financial help you're eligible for by visiting the online financial support checker.

Alternative Fuel Support

Most households will automatically get a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment if they:

  • live in England, Scotland or Wales
  • use an alternative fuel for most of their heating, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), oil or solid fuel
  • are connected to the electricity grid

For full eligibility, or if you didn't receive your payment automatically please visit the alternative fuel bill webpage on the government website.

Disability Cost of Living Payment

If you receive disability benefits you'll receive a one-off £150 payment from September 2022 to help with extra costs, such as for equipment or transport.

This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for people who also receive means tested benefits.

Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.

This winter, they'll also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. This will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Help for former coal miners and their dependents

The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) has launched a £200 grant. It will help vulnerable former coal miners with the rise in fuel costs in 2022. A one-off grant is available if you're on a low income and meet certain criteria. One grant is available per household.

CISWO’s personal welfare team will identify people in need and helping them to get the help they're entitled to. As well as the CISWO grant, they can help you obtain other financial aid and subsidies from the government. The team will also be on hand to offer wider support services to former coal miners and their dependants. This will be done through their personal welfare service.

For more details about claiming the £200 grant call CISWO on (01709) 728115. You can also email mail@ciswo.org.uk

DIAL

If you've a disability or long-term condition and you're struggling to pay your energy bills or need some help switching suppliers. Then DIAL have energy advisors who can offer 1:1 advice, tackling fuel debt and reducing energy costs. Talking with your suppliers and apply for warm home discounts and other energy grants.

You can visit DIAL for more advice. Or call on (01226) 240273 or email them.

Help with the cost of heating installation and insulation

We're currently offering free gas central heating systems to homeowners. We're also giving grants for the cost of gas central heating to private landlords, whose homes don't currently have this.

If you have a gas boiler that breaks, or you don't have heating or hot water, we may be able to help you. Our affordable warmth programme will help you if you're on a low income and own or privately rent your home.

We've also secured funding from the government to offer insulation and energy saving measures to low income residents.

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've 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 and landline phone bill

Broadband social tariffs provide a safety net for approved households who might be struggling to afford their broadband and phone services. Different options are available to people in receipt of benefits.

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.

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