Help with energy bills
Are your gas and electricity bills causing you to worry? Do you have cold draughts, or is your heating difficult to control?
Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) can help you take control of energy issues, keeping you warmer and saving you money. The news can be a bit overwhelming right now, with headlines about gas shortages, price increases and energy suppliers going out of business.
We want to explain a bit about what’s happening and let you know what help is available for you.
Firstly, we now know that the price cap rose by 54 per cent on 1 April and is likely to rise again in October. The price cap is a maximum amount that can be charged for electricity and gas standing charges and unit (kWh) rates. Remember if you use more, then you will pay more.
The Government has announced some support measures with prices rises:
- A Universal Credit of £200 to electricity bills in October 2022. However, this must be paid back at £40 a year from April 2023. It will be automatically added to bills (like a levy) and you cannot opt out.
- People who pay Council Tax on properties in Bands A to D will receive a one-off payment of £150. You should receive this automatically if you pay by direct debit and the name on your Council Tax account is the same as on your bank details. If the names are not the same, or you don’t pay your Council Tax by direct debit, check the Council’s website (www.plymouth.gov.uk) for information on how to apply.
If you are having difficulty paying bills, please speak to your supplier. There are several ways that they are now required to help since COVID-19 started.
Check to see if you are eligible for the Warm Homes Discount. This applies to some people who claim benefits. More information can be found on the PEC website at www.plymouthenergycommunity.com.
PEC can help you talk to your supplier, landlords and housing associations where needed. They can also apply for energy related grants, energy efficiency measures and schemes to tackle cold, damp homes and maximize income.
Visit: www.plymouthenergycommunity.com
Call: 01752 477117
Email: energyteam@plymouthenergycommunity.com
Help with money worries
Citizens Advice Plymouth says more people living in Plymouth are at a crisis point as the number of food bank vouchers and fund requests have nearly doubled this spring.
Residents have asked for additional support such as supermarket vouchers, donations of essential white goods and school uniforms.
Even though the situation may be difficult for many people, there is help and advice available.
- It is important that you maximise your budget. Use the benefits calculator at citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk to check you’re getting all the benefits you may be entitled to.
- Contact your creditors as soon as you know you’re unable to pay your bills as they might be able to offer some help. Missed payments can lead to additional fees, damage to your credit score or even debt collectors being involved. Some energy suppliers can provide further help and make referrals for financial assistance. Plymouth Energy Community can advise you.
- If you have Tax Credits overpayments consider calling the Tax Credits Helpline. If you’re finding the repayments high, ask for them to be reduced. Explain your situation and that you’re struggling to meet your ongoing costs.
- Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Don’t wait for the bills to mount up; get help as soon as you can. Doing nothing will just allow matters to get worse. If you don’t have enough to live on, you might be able to get help with food parcels, housing or fuel costs.
Contact Citizen’s Advice Plymouth to explore your options.
Visit: Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, PL1 2DA
Call: 03444 111 444
Visit: www.adviceplymouth.org.uk
Further help if you’re struggling to pay for food
If you’re struggling to pay for food there are organisations, such as Citizens Advice, that can refer you to a food bank.
There are also organisations that will supply free food and advice without a referral and where you can just drop in.
These organisations are all part of the Plymouth Food Aid Network and are shown on a map at pfan.adoddle.org.
Food Plymouth, the local food partnership, is working closely with Plymouth City Council, PEC and others to ensure there is a joined up approach to support.
There are a range of resources available for anyone struggling with the cost of living crisis in Plymouth:
- The ‘Worrying About Money?’ leaflet helps you to find options and get help in Plymouth (visit pfan.adoddle.org/plymouths-cash-first-approach-leaflet).
- The Food Access Guide for Plymouth is an online tool to help you access food-related support (visit foodplymouth.org/do-you-need-information-about-how-to-access-food).
- The Plymouth Food Aid Network website (pfan.adoddle.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/plymouthfoodaid) connect you with organisations all around the city.
- If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old and you are on certain benefits, you might be able to get free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk.
