HomeAdvice and SupportCost of Living Help
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No one should have to choose between eating or heating their home.
Your gas and electricity supplier cannot cut off your supply unless they have offered you a range of prepayment methods to help you pay. Contact your energy provider if you are struggling with your bills – they may be able to offer you support.
We also advise checking with your local council to see if they offer support with energy costs: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
This help is known as “welfare assistance” or the “household support fund”. Each council runs its own scheme, and you don’t need to be on benefits to qualify.
Citizens Advice also provides guidance if you’re facing high energy costs: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/information/were-here-for-you-if-you-need-energy-support/
The government has announced that the energy price cap (also called the energy price guarantee) will be £1,738 per year for a typical household from 1st January 2025 to 31st March 2025.
The energy price cap doesn’t limit the total amount a household can be charged; it is based on typical energy use. What is fixed is the cost per unit of energy and the standing charge. This means using less energy can still help you save money on your bills.
You can find out more about the Energy Price Cap here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/energy-price-cap
The Wise Group’s Home Energy Advice Team offers free advice and support for households struggling with energy costs. They offer a helping hand to:
Get in touch with HEAT today to learn more:
Email HEAT@thewisegroup.co.uk
Call for free on 0800 092 9002 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
There is further information in the leaflet linked here.
Our Welfare Benefits team are also on hand to help you navigate the benefit system, access financial help you maybe weren’t aware you were entitled to, and point you in the direction of useful organisations when you need a helping hand.
In 2023/24, the team helped North Star customers gain an extra £757k in benefits they may not have otherwise received.
You can contact our Welfare Benefits Team through our Customer Services Team on 03000 11 00 11 or email them at Welfare.benefits@northstarhg.co.uk.