UK Bill Help

People struggling with their energy bills in the city of Manchester have several programmes available to them. The city provides grants, referrals to a number of payment plans and discount schemes, and works with charities and other organisations. They also offer advice on dealing with energy suppliers. The goal is to prevent disconnection of electricity or their gas service.

Families that are struggling may be able to get help from their emergency programme. The city offers grants for those that are in a fuel poverty status. There is also assistance for families that are at risk of risk being disconnected. For those that qualify, up to £50 may be available. The amount depends on funding levels, the applicant’s financial situation, and other conditions. Applications are done as part of the welfare provision scheme.

In order to qualify, some or all of the following need to be met. The applicant needs to be 16 years of age or older, have no saving or capital, and also live within the part of Manchester County that is covered by the City Council. In order to get an emergency grant, people also need to be receiving some type of benefit. This includes Income-related Employment Support Allowance, the Guaranteed Pension Credit, or some other type of support.

The council will also focus on helping those households with a child under five years old or those with a disability or serious health need. Grants to pay for electricity bills may also be available for someone who is vulnerable or over the UK pension age.

Note that the grants will be paid out in the form of a pre-paid meter cards, and financial assistance is limited to only one payment per household. It is a one time solution to provide a household time to gain stability. Read more Manchester Fuel Poverty programme.

The Manchester City Council also recommends other energy bill programmes and discount schemes. Some of them include the following.

• Warm Home Discount Scheme is available in most cities and towns in the UK. This is generally for those households on a low income. If eligible, people may qualify for a one-off discount on their electricity costs. It is usually effective sometime between October and March.
• Grants from the winter fuel payment. For those that qualify, up to £300 be paid out to Manchester families. This is also tax-free and it will help individuals pay heating bills or energy costs. It is for older people in the city.
• Cold Weather Payments are for when the temperature drops below average of zero degrees Celsius. This is for customers that get certain government benefits as well. So the grants from this payment plan are limited and come with restrictions.
• United Utilities customers can contact the company for information about their Trust Fund. There is also the Watersure financial assistance scheme as an option.

Manchester households can also look into switching to a cheaper energy supplier. There are many that operate in the area. As one example, the Greater Manchester collective energy switching scheme can negotiate the cheapest gas and electricity bills for a family. It works by using collective buying power. Hundreds of local households in the city generally save over £100 per year on their bills.

The key is to pay your bills on time, whether gas or electricity. If someone does not pay them, then an electricity supplier can cut service off. Water suppliers have more restrictions, but in some cases they can also turn off service. Contact your supplier right away to ask about any other programmes or payment plans that may be offered.
More information for the vulnerable is available at The Customer Service Centre, Manchester town hall extension, Mount Street, Manchester, T 0161 234 5001.