Despite rising costs and increased pressure, energy suppliers continue to increase the support they provide to customers, including additional funding for customers in fuel poverty. All major retail suppliers have their own funds, independently managed by fund administrators or in partnership with consumer bodies like Citizens Advice.
Over the crisis, more than £500m has been voluntarily made available for additional support for customers struggling to pay on top of the more than £2bn in mandatory schemes they deliver every year.
These mandatory schemes are to help people struggling with energy bills. This includes the funding for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Warm Home Discount (WHD).
Suppliers have put into place a range of support for customers that includes:
- Enhanced debt write-off schemes and hardship funds.
- Enhanced funding to charity partners and frontline organisations.
- Reducing or waiving the standing charges over winter for certain customers.
- Access to energy saving devices and technology.
Read more on what the suppliers are doing to support their customers