What should you do if you are in debt to a fuel company? In Britain, over 850,000 electricity customers and over 700,000 gas customers are in fuel debt.
Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice want to raise awareness with this new campaign: ‘Plug the Debt’. These are their five top tips.
- Always contact your energy firm as soon as you realise you might have trouble with paying. Debts will build-up and be harder to pay off the longer you leave them. Your supplier has a responsibility to help you if you have problems paying your bill.
- Tell your energy supplier what you can afford to pay – they have to take this into account in agreeing repayments of the money you owe.
- Ask your energy company, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or call the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 to find out about other free energy help available. For example you could qualify for a discount off your bill or free insulation to help your home stop leaking heat and cut your bills.
- Even if you are in debt you may still be able to switch to a cheaper deal with your current supplier, especially if you pay by cash, cheque or pre-payment meter. If you pay by pre-payment meter and have less than £200 of debt you can also switch to a cheaper deal with another supplier.
- Financial help is available which could make it easier to afford your bills – check you are receiving all of the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to by getting in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visiting www.adviceguide.org.uk.
Anyone who wants to find out more about getting help or advice through the ‘Plug the Debt’ campaign should visit www.consumerfocus.org.uk/plugthedebt or contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau.
If you live in Stoke or north Staffordshire, advisers from Beat the Cold may be able to call on you at home to help you sort out a debt to a fuel company. Contact us.