If you are struggling to pay for energy, water, phone or broadband bills, we recommend making sure that you are making the most of all available benefits, grants and payments, including the Household Support Fund. You may be eligible for more than you think.

Energy

Government support

The government's Energy Support Scheme discount will provide a £400 non-repayable discount on your energy bill from October 2022 to March 2023. This should be applied automatically in most cases through your energy provider.

Eligible pensioners should expect to receive a Winter Fuel Payment The government's Warm Home Discount Scheme and Cold Weather Payment scheme are expected to re-open in November 2022. 

Ridgewater Energy and LEAP support

Ridgewater Energy provides advice and assistance to any of our residents in fuel poverty.

• expert energy saving advice
• insulation, heating and renewable energy
• free appliances and energy saving products
• a better, healthier quality of life
• lower energy bills.

They can assess your eligibility for various schemes and grants, and source funding and quotations for insulation, heating and renewable energy upgrades. They also have a number of downloadable factsheets available.

The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) service is also managed by Ridgewater Energy, and offers a free home visit to eligible residents throughout Dorset. 

All households with a total annual income of less than £31,000 are eligible. For further details on eligibility, please visit their website.

See Ridgewater Energy's energy and money saving booklet for more advice and support.

Support from energy providers 

Various energy providers are offering support and funds for those who are struggling with energy bills. We recommend contacting your own energy provider as soon as possible if you are struggling to keep costs down. The British Gas Energy Trust offers assistance regardless of which energy supplier you are with.

Water

Wessex Water may be able to help with your bill if you are struggling to pay.

Broadband and phone packages

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Ofcom has information on social tariffs and the providers that are currently offering them.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice BCP mobile outreach vehicle - to help make reaching their services that little bit easier. The Community Advice Vehicle will be in these areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the coming months.