Winter is coming, and in the midst of a cost of living crisis, you might feel concerned about being able to afford heating during this time. Read about how the Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme can help support you with energy bills this winter.
Winter is coming, and in the midst of a cost of living crisis, you might feel concerned about being able to afford heating during this time.
In preparation, the UK Government has set out an Energy Bills Support Scheme to help people throughout this period; that of course includes supporting students.
How does the scheme work?
The scheme provides a £400 discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. The £400 does not need to be paid back at any point, it is an automatic discount. Any discount is always a delight for students, but just keep in mind, this £400 applies to your entire household, it is not an individual discount.
Who’s eligible?
All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland, and Wales are eligible for the discount. Domestic electricity just means any electricity used in a home such as for cooking or heating.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, reach out to your energy suppliers or bill-splitting company (such as Glide) and they should be able to let you know.
How you’ll get the discount
You do not need to apply for the discount – it will automatically be applied to your monthly electricity bill for six months starting in October 2022.
You will get:
- £66 per month in October and November
- £67 per month in December, January, February, and March
If you haven’t received your first instalment by the end of October 2022, it’s important you contact your energy supplier (or bill-splitting company).
If you pay your bills by direct debit, you will either have a reduction to your monthly payments, or you will get a refund to your bank account.
If you pay your bills with a payment card, your discount will be applied as a credit to your account in the first week of every month. The credit will appear as it would if you had made a payment.
If your bills are included as part of your rent, it will be your landlord’s responsibility to pass the discount on to you, however, they are not obliged to. In this case, it would be best to have a conversation with your landlord and find out what their plan is with the discount; hopefully, you’ll be able to come to an agreement regarding this.
Where to get more info
You can read more about the Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme online, where you can also read about the Help for Households scheme.
You can find advice and tips on the University’s 'Managing Your Money' page.
If you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and would like to ask specific questions, you’re welcome to email the SU Advice Centre.