Managing fuel and water debt

If you have missed payments on your gas or electricity bills, you should find help straight away. If you do not pay your gas and electricity (fuel) arrears you could lose them both.

You should deal with gas or electricity debts before any other type of debt.

Help with your energy debt

You can fill in a form for the Seasonal Health Intervention Network (SHINE) that can mean advice or even some funding towards bills of up to £300.

What you need

To should give proof of:

• a debt letter, energy bill or statement from the last 2 months
• 3 months of bank statements showing that you do not have more than £1,000 in savings after you have paid your fixed monthly bills and rent
• a completed income expenditure form from a debt advice agency such as Stepchange, Debt Free Advice, Christians Against Poverty, National Debt Line, Islington Citizens Advice Bureau, and Islington People's Rights

Apply for energy debt help

Advice about benefits

We can talk you through what benefits you could get if you call us on 020 7527 8600.

Help from your energy companies

Contact your energy supplier to let them know you are having difficulty paying. Think about how much you can afford to repay before you contact them to see if you can reach an agreement with the company.

Large energy companies have trust funds to help with fuel debt. If you fit the eligibility criteria, we can help you to complete an energy trust fund application form.

Priority services register

All large gas and electricity companies, as well the gas and electricity grids, offer a range of free services to their most vulnerable customers including residents of a pensionable age and those with extra health needs. 

Joining the priority services register means you can get free services, like: 

• a gas appliance and installation safety check (if everyone in the home is allowed to get it)
• quarterly meter readings
• help moving a meter if it is in an awkward position
• a personal password system for gas and electricity staff to use every time they call you to confirm they arereally from your energyu company
• help if you have trouble using some appliances
• bills sent to a friend or family member for you
• bills sent in different formats, such as large print or Braille, by cassette or in a different language 

Some energy companies offer extra services.

Most energy companies will only offer vulnerable customers a reduced bill if you are on the priority services register first.

Charitable funds 

Some energy companies and other utility companies have special funds to help customers who have got into debt with their service.

Independent advice

The Islington Citizens Advice Bureau can also offer you help and advice.

Visit the Islington Law Centre or find out more at Islington People’s Rights if you are in serious difficulties.  

Water Help and Water Sure

Thames Water have two schemes to help customers struggling with the costs of water bills.

• Water Help is a discount on your whole bill of up to 50%, your gross annual household income is less than £21,749 before any deductions or your water bill is more than 5% of your total household income.
• Water Sure is a cap on water bills for metered properties, where the household has an excess need for water due to the size of their family or a medical condition. Water Sure caps the bill at the average annual cost.

We can refer you to Thames to be assessed for these schemes. Register with SHINE for information and to be considered for referral.