This page provides information about energy rebates and energy bills support schemes, heating and health projects and the Household Support Fund.
Other help is also available to eligible residents like the warm home discount, winter fuel payment for older people, and the cold weather payment. Emergency energy vouchers and grants to help pay off energy debts are also available, plus there is advice on how you could use less energy.
Energy Price Guarantee
The Energy Price Guarantee (external link) (EPG) caps the unit of cost of energy per kWh for pre-pay and bill-pay tariffs. While a household's bill will continue to be influenced by how much energy is used, the Ofgem price cap has been set at £1,834 for a typical household per year.
Money Saving Expert have produced an energy price cap calculator (external link) which may help to calculate your energy costs, based on your usage. If you are currently on a pre-capped standard tariff you can enter your energy figures into the calculator for an estimate of what you will pay under the new energy price guarantee. This calculator won't be able to provide estimates for those on a fixed tariff deal, only for standard tariffs.
Household Support Fund
The Cambridgeshire Household Support Fund (external link) has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship to pay for food and household energy bills. Help is available for pensioners and other people on eligible benefits who are struggling with food and energy costs.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Warm Home Discount (external link) is a one-off payment to reduce eligible customers' bills over the winter months. This winter (2023 to 2024), it is £150. You do not need to apply for the scheme, payments are automatic, but you will only be eligible if your energy supplier is part of the scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1957 you could get a winter fuel payment (external link) to help you pay your heating bills. The amount will vary depending on eligibility, you could get between £250 and £600.
The amount you receive includes a 'Pensioner Cost of Living Payment' of between £150 and £300. You will receive this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024. This is in addition to any other cost of living payments you may receive with your benefit or tax credits.
Cold Weather Payment
People on certain benefits may be eligible for a cold weather payment (external link) if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. If you qualify for the payment you will automatically be sent the money, you do not need to make a claim.
You will get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024.
Grant to help pay off energy debts
If you are in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off.
Ofgem (external link) offer advice on what to do if you cannot afford to pay your energy bill, including links for schemes, grants and benefits that you may be able to access for help.
Even if your energy provider is not listed as part of the scheme, you might be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. This grant is available to anyone - you do not have to be a British Gas customer.
Emergency Energy Vouchers
If you have a pre-pay meter and are struggling to afford to top it up, contact our partner PECT (external link). They can offer advice, support and assess you for an emergency fuel voucher.
Home Energy Efficiency Grants and Incentives
There are various grant schemes available to residents of East Cambridgeshire to increase the energy efficiency of your home, helping to bring down energy costs in the longer term.
Visit our home energy efficiency grants webpage for more details.
Ideas to use less energy
The Energy Saving Trust (external link) advise on how to cut down on your energy use to save money and share their quick tips energy advice (external link).
Cambridge Carbon Footprint (external link) has ideas to help reduce costs and save energy.
Which? has also published 10 ways to reduce energy bills (external link).
National Energy Action's warm and safe homes advice service (external link) is a free support service providing advice to households on their energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home.