Support for Energy Bills: Grants, Benefits, and Charities to Help You Stay Warm

Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed December 2025)

If your parent or the person you support is behind on bills, or cannot top up their meter, contact their supplier as soon as possible using the details on their bill or statement.

Every supplier runs different support schemes. Some offer grants, some give emergency credit and some refer people to charities.

Two organisations, Charis and Auriga, run schemes for several energy companies. Their websites list what you may be able to apply for.

If the person you support uses a top-up meter and the balance is close to zero, things can unravel quickly. The supplier should offer emergency credit, but it is not always clear how to get it or what happens next. Start by checking the meter itself. Most meters have an “emergency credit” button or screen. Use it immediately. It will not solve everything, but it will buy you time.

If the emergency credit has already run out, call the supplier and explain the situation. Tell them you are caring for someone who may be at risk if the heating cuts off. Many suppliers have safeguarding policies that allow extra support once they know a vulnerable person is involved. Ask about discretionary credit, repayment plans and whether their hardship fund is open. 

If your parent refuses to make the call themselves, let the supplier know you are their carer and ask how to provide consent. You do not need to feel bad for asking. Keeping someone warm is not optional.

Below are some of the main organisations offering practical help. Many carers find it easier to start here than with the supplier alone.

Several government benefits are available to assist with energy costs:

Your local council may offer help with energy, water, food or clothing through the Household Support Fund. This is for people who are struggling to cover basics. You do not have to be receiving benefits to apply.

Each council runs its own scheme so the rules and amounts vary.

Even with grants and discounts, many older people still sit in cold homes because they worry about using the heating. Small changes can make a big difference. Start by checking the basics, such as whether radiators are switched on and whether the thermostat is set to a safe temperature. Many carers discover issues like blocked vents, broken timers or heating that was switched off by accident.
Layered clothing helps more than one thick jumper, especially for someone who sits still for long periods. Heated throws can be cheaper to run than heating a whole room. If damp or draughts are a problem, ask the council or your local charity about free draft proofing. Encourage the person you support to heat the rooms they spend the most time in, rather than the whole house. A warm living space is better than a cold home with the heating turned off.

Fuel Poverty Action is a national group pushing for lower bills and safer homes. They also produce videos and education material that many carers find helpful when trying to understand the system.

Conversations about money and heating can quickly turn tense. Many older adults feel embarrassed or defensive, especially if they see rising bills as a personal failure. Start by focusing on safety, not money. For example, “I just want to make sure your home stays warm enough for your health” is easier to hear than “Your bills are too high.”
Offer to make phone calls together, or write down the questions they want answered before speaking to the supplier. If your parent lives alone, remind them they do not have to manage everything themselves. Suggest joining the Priority Services Register, which flags them as someone who may need extra support. If they worry about scams, agree a simple rule such as “no decisions on the phone” so they can hang up safely without feeling rude. Clear, steady conversations usually work better than pushing hard.

Scammers often pretend to be from your energy supplier, Ofgem or the Energy Saving Trust. They may pressure you to hand over bank details or personal information.

Be cautious with:

• Unsolicited texts or emails

• Phone calls asking you to “confirm your details”

• Offers that sound too good to be true

Reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, December 2025