Money, debt and benefit advice

​​​​​Fuel poverty can have a negative impact on well-being; especially for young children, those with reduced mobility, over 65 or, with a health condition.

Are you eligible for a grant from your energy supplier?

Contact your energy supplier as soon as you can if you’re worried about paying your energy bills, are in debt to your supplier or can’t afford to top-up your prepayment meter.

Under Ofgem rules, your supplier must work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford. This includes reviewing a plan you have agreed before. You may be able to apply to them for a non-repayable hardship grant to help pay it off.

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, you may be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Families Fund for up to £1,500. You don’t have to be a British Gas customer.

If you need some help with this you can contact Citizens Advice.

• Non-repayable hardship grant from your supplier
• British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Families Fund – you don’t have to be a British Gas customer
• Contact Citizens Advice for help

Help with housing costs and reducing energy bills

There are a number of schemes available to local residents from the free installation of central heating, switching energy suppliers, support with fuel debts, energy-saving measures, energy-efficient appliances and more.

• Help with your water bill - information to help you reduce your water bill including trialling a water meter, debt support schemes, flexible payment plans, the WaterSure scheme and payment breaks.
• Help with the cost of energy bills - GOV.UK - millions of the most vulnerable households will get financial support with the cost of living and their energy bills.
• Energywork Green Doctors - Groundworks offers free service to help you with your bills, offers advice around energy-saving measures, installs energy efficiency measures, repairs heating systems and more.
• Warm Home Discount scheme ​​- if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or if you're on a low income, you could get a discount on your electricity bill this winter.
• Winter Fuel Payment - if you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills.
• Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - advice from Citizens Advice.
• Read about energy-saving tips from Community Integrated Care - it's one of the UK’s largest and most successful social care charities and has produced information on how to save energy.
• Cold Weather Payment - if you're claiming certain benefits, you may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment.

More ways of getting help with housing costs and reducing energy bills

• Home improvements, insulation and repairs - check if you qualify for free or discounted boiler and insulation, get help with home improvements and more. You may need to be on certain benefits and own your home or rent from a private landlord.
• Energy Saving Trust – independent expert advice on saving household energy.
• HomeSwapper - opportunities, advice and tips to find house exchange.
• Renew Shops - purchase pre-loved household items from Recycle for Greater Manchester at an affordable price.
• Rochdale Boroughwide Housing - homelessness prevention and advice.
• Shelter - housing advice and information.
• SnugBug - affordable, safe and secure shared accommodation for people aged up to 34 across Manchester.