Liz Truss has announced an ‘energy price guarantee’ which means that a typical household will pay no more than £2,500 a year on energy bills for two years, from 1st October, this is re-assuring news and means that the cap which was set to jump up to £3,549 from £1,971 will no longer happen.

Energy bills help that has already been announced will still go ahead, which is welcoming news for households worrying about how they will manage to pay for their bills, however there are still other schemes available for providing support.

Around 90% of eligible households have already received the £150 Council Tax rebate if their home is in council tax bands A to D – ring your local council if you are yet to receive this payment.

Additional energy bills help for the vulnerable and low-income households is available which includes an extra £150 on-off disability payment which will be paid automatically from September 20th

All households in the UK will receive a £400 discount on their energy bill as part of the Energy Bills support Scheme to help with the cost of living starting from October, this will be paid out over 6 months and will be taken off their bills directly by the energy companies

If you have a traditional pre-payment meter you will get a Special Action Message (SAMS) issued via e-mail, post or text message each month which you will need to redeem at your usual top-up point if you are a smart prepayment meter you will see that the discount is credited directly to your pre-payment meter each month.

Anyone who doesn’t use mains gas and electricity, such as those using heating oil will also receive the equivalent help.

If you were born before 26 September 1955, you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills – this includes a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of between £150 and £300, however you only get this extra discount in Winter 2022/2023.

Cold Weather Payment – for every 7 days of very cold weather there is an extra payment.

If you are really struggling to pay your energy bills ensure you arrange a payment plan with your supplier. Ofgem the energy regulator says to contact your supplier as soon as you can, at this point you can ask for a review of your payments and debt repayments, payment dates or reductions, more time to pay or access to hardship funds – if you are in a vulnerable situation  this is a free support service for you to use.

I have previously posted a blog with tips on how to save electricity – take a look on www.davidphillip.co.uk.

As the Government looks to make more announcements around any areas concerning the home, we will update all information via our website, and if you are considering selling your home call David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400.

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