Money guide

Get help if you cannot pay your energy bill

Contact your energy supplier early, agree an affordable payment plan and find grants and protections that apply when you are behind on gas or electricity.

Estimated time: 30–60 minutesUpdated: 28 September 2026

Use this guide if you are behind on your energy bill or worried you soon will be, especially going into winter. Have your latest bill, a meter reading, your account number and a rough idea of your monthly income and essential costs.

Step by step

  1. Take a meter reading

    Submit an up-to-date meter reading to your supplier so your bill and any debt are based on real use rather than estimates. Take a photo of the meter showing the date. Estimated bills can make debts look larger than they are.

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