Your bills will only be affected by the price cap increase if you’re on a Standard Variable Tariff. If you’re on a Fixed Rate Tariff, your bills will stay the same until your contract ends.
A Citizens Advice commissioned survey found that more than one in seven households (16%) would not be able to cover the anticipated average price cap rise of £60 per month. This rises to over a quarter (27%) of disabled people.
Ian Young, Energy Team Leader for Citizens Advice Consumer Service, said: “We know this is a stressful and worrying time”. Many households were in ‘fuel poverty’ before the energy price rises of 2021. We anticipate the further increases in energy prices, could lead to an unprecedented increase in the number of households of all incomes in fuel poverty.
We have seen many households in recent months having the dilemma of paying for fuel or food. We can assist anyone with this issue to ensure you get the right information, advice and guidance. We aim to prevent debts rising for households and to reduce the stress this can cause.
Ruth’s Story
Mother-of-two Ruth* contacted her local Citizens Advice and said: “They just keep taking money from all angles”.
Ruth, 26, lives in a two-bed house with her two young children. She has found her bills rising uncontrollably over the last few months.
“I knew my energy bills were going to go up but didn’t realise they would go up this much. This week we’ve been living on rations, and I’ve thought about ringing the food bank but it’s half an hour away and I can’t afford a taxi or bus.”
“I’ve had to dip into my rent money just to buy some nappies and washing powder. We’ve been spending most of our time at my Nana’s just for some heating and electricity.”
How we helped Ruth
We advised Ruth to ring our Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 to help her agree a payment plan with her supplier and find out whether she could apply to them for a grant to help pay off her energy debts.
We also made an appointment for Ruth to speak with our advisers at her local Citizens Advice office. We will check that she is receiving her benefit entitlements, including all the elements in Universal Credit. This will help her to secure the future for herself and her children.
Do you – or someone you know – need help?
If you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to help. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation and don’t know what to do next – or even if you think you do and just need to check – why not contact us.
We provide free, impartial and confidential advice to everyone. You can find more information about what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills by visiting our national website at .
*Name changed to preserve client confidentiality
CITIZENS ADVICE WAVERLEY CONTACT DETAILS:
By phone 0808 278 7980 (free) to speak to an adviser
By email: use enquiry form at https://waverleycab.org.uk/get-advice/e-mail-form/ the easiest way to contact a specific office.
Self-help: https://waverleycab.org.uk/get-advice/help-topics/
Office opening: https://waverleycab.org.uk/get-advice/visit-us/
Please check the latest opening hours before visiting as these can change at short notice.
South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service: 01483 898884
Email: swr@swsda.org.uk
www.swsda.org.uk
