8 July 2011 Last updated at 05:48 ET

Battling bills - what help is there?

Lots of help is available to those on low incomes struggling with bills

Energy bills are on the rise again and this will mean more households struggling to pay their bills. This guide outlines what help is available.

As well as the general help listed here, suppliers often offer grants, special tariffs and other measures on a case-by-case basis.

If you are having trouble paying your bill you should check with your supplier to find out what help is available from them.

GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS

HOME ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMME

What is it?

A way of providing assistance to householders to make their homes more energy-efficient. All low-income and pensioner households are entitled to free loft and cavity insulation. Everyone else can get half-price insulation.

The government estimates that six million households will be able to benefit by the end of 2011 and aims to insulate all Britain's homes by 2020.

How do I apply?

Call the government help line number on 0800 512 012 for more details.

COMMUNITY ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMME

What is it?

A service provided by local councils, voluntary organisations and energy companies. They will target some of the most deprived areas of the UK, carrying out house-to-house calls to offer help.

How is this being funded?

This initiative and the Home Energy Saving Programme mentioned above are being funded by energy firms, including electricity generating companies.

How can I find out if I am eligible?

Call the government's helpline number listed above.

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT

What is it?

A tax-free annual benefit, it is usually paid from November.

Who is eligible?

Those aged 60 or over and who normally live in the United Kingdom.

How much?

How much you get varies according to personal circumstances. Payments will be between £100 and £300 in 2011-12.

How to apply?

If you have not had the payment before and are not getting a state pension or another benefit (apart from housing benefit, council tax benefit or child benefit), the payment will not be automatic - you need to apply.

You can get a claim form by calling 08459 151 515.

COLD WEATHER PAYMENT

What is it?

The payment is made when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C (32F) or below over seven consecutive days.

Who is eligible?

You are entitled if you receive the following:

• pension credit
• income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance and there is a child aged under five in your family
• pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
• a disability premium or severe disability premium
• a disabled child premium or a child tax credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled

How much?

A payment of £25 is made for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March - when the average local temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, freezing (zero Celsius) or below over seven consecutive days.

How to apply?

The payment is made automatically.

OTHER GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

WARM FRONT ENGLAND

What is it?

A grant scheme in England providing heating and insulation in privately owned or rented homes.

Depending on an applicant's needs, it will pay for things such as loft insulation, draught proofing, gas room heaters with thermostat controls, gas, electric or oil central heating.

Energy advice and two low-energy light bulbs are also available.

Who is eligible?

You may get a grant if you get one or more of the following benefits:

• working tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460 and which must include a disability element)
• child tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460)
• attendance allowance
• disability living allowance
• income support (must include a disability premium)
• housing benefit (must include a disability premium)
• council tax benefit (must include a disability premium)
• war disablement pension (must include a mobility supplement or a constant attendance allowance)
• industrial injuries disablement benefit (must include constant attendance allowance)
• you have a child under 16, or are pregnant, and get income support or council tax benefit or housing benefit or income-based jobseeker's allowance or pension credit
• you are aged 60 or over and get pension credit, or council tax benefit, or housing benefit or income-based jobseeker's allowance

How much?

Grants range up to £2,700 - or up to £4,000 if your home needs oil central heating.

How to apply?

You will need to complete an application form before an adviser visits you to assess and recommend work for your property. Call 0800 316 2805.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PACKAGE SCOTLAND

What is it?

Support to cut heating bills, plus there are a range of free or discounted energy saving measures for eligible households including new boilers, heating systems, loft and cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing.

Grants of up to £6,500 for eligible rural households not on the gas grid to install air source heat pumps - a "plug in" green energy device.

Who is eligible?

Includes people who are aged 60 or over, those currently receiving benefits and those who are pregnant. Parents with a child aged under five, or who have a disabled child under 16, or live in a residential mobile home can also apply.

How much?

Various amounts.

How to apply?

Telephone [phone].

HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEME IN WALES

At the start of 2011 this was replaced by Nest, the Welsh government's fuel poverty scheme.

It provides advice on keeping your house warm. And it is a gateway to free improvements to increase the energy efficiency of your home, if you qualify.

If you are living on means tested benefits AND you live in the hardest-to-heat homes you may be eligible, for free, for a new central heating boiler, insulation for a hot water cylinder, loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation, draught proofing for doors and windows or renewable energy technologies such as solar panels.

How to apply?

Telephone [phone] from a landline or 0300 456 2655 from a mobile phone.

NORTHERN IRELAND WARM HOMES SCHEME

What is it?

Funded by the Department for Social Development, it is aimed at owner-occupiers and people who rent their homes from private landlords in Northern Ireland. It is not available for public sector properties.

The fund gives a grant for a package of energy efficiency and heating measures.

Who is eligible?

Householders of any age (the applicant or their spouse) who have a child under the age of 16 and who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• housing benefit
• rate rebate
• income support
• income-based job seeker's allowance
• child tax credit
• expectant mothers in receipt of a Maternity certificate (MAT B1) and one of the above benefits

OR

Householders under 60 (the applicant or their spouse) who are in receipt of one or more of the following disability-related benefits:

• disability living allowance
• housing benefit (with disability premium)
• rate rebate (with disability premium)
• income support (with disability premium)
• working tax credit (with disability premium) and NHS tax exemption certificate
• war disablement pension (with mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)
• industrial injuries disablement benefit (with constant attendance allowance)

How much?

Up to £850.

How to apply?

Telephone [phone].

WARM HOMES PLUS - NORTHERN IRELAND

What is it?

In addition to the warm homes scheme, includes measures such as installing new central heating systems.

Who is eligible?

Householders who are 60 years and over and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• rate rebate
• housing benefit
• pension credit
• income-based job seeker's allowance
• attendance allowance
• disability living allowance
• working tax credit (with disability premium) and NHS tax exemption certificate
• industrial injuries disablement benefit (with constant attendance allowance)
• war disablement pension (with mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)

How much?

Up to £4,300.

How to apply?

Telephone [phone].

ENERGY SUPPLIER FUNDS

E.ON CARING ENERGY FUND

Aims to assist E.On customers who are low-income households facing financial difficulty and who may not be eligible for financial help from government schemes.

Can offer the following assistance:

• payments in full or part to cover the cost of installing cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation
• payments in full or part to cover the cost of repairing or installing heating measures which in some cases could include repair of unsafe gas heating systems
• payments in full or part could be made to cover the cost of household appliances

Telephone [phone].

EDF ENERGY TRUST FUND

A charity that gives grants to people who have electricity, gas, telephone and, in some cases, other essential household bill debts.

Funded by EDF, it gives grants, and financial and energy efficiency advice.

Anyone 'in need, hardship or other distress' is eligible to apply for help from the fund.

There are two types of grants. They are for:

• individuals to cover the payment of gas and electricity debts and other essential household bills or costs
• voluntary organisations working in the field of money advice, debt counselling or energy efficiency advice

Telephone [phone]

BRITISH GAS ENERGY TRUST

The British Gas Energy Trust, which incorporates the Scottish Gas Energy Trust, gives grants to help individuals and families in need to meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs.

Again, anyone 'in need, hardship or other distress' is eligible to apply for help from the Trust.

Can help with:

• arrears of domestic gas/electricity charges
• other essential domestic bills and costs. You can apply for such help even if you do not apply for help with your gas/electricity charges

Telephone [phone]

SCOTTISH POWER ENERGY PEOPLE TRUST

Organisations and groups can apply for funding to support projects or schemes covering:

• crisis funding, such as women and children needing emergency accommodation and vulnerable young people setting up their first home
• benefits health checks or income maximisation. For example, helping households that are not claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled
• energy efficiency measures
• research

Telephone [phone]

If you are having trouble paying your bill you should check with your supplier to find out what help is available. Many offer grants, and/or special tariffs and other measures.

OTHER INDUSTRY HELP

The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) advises British energy customers worried about paying their fuel bill and keeping warm during the winter.

It also gives advice to low-income households in urgent need of heating help and advice. It is free to call and is open 9am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.

Advisors give quick, clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes that you may be entitled to as well as basic steps that can be taken to save money on heating bills by making your home more energy efficient.

After asking you a few questions the advisor will aim to put your call straight through to the specialist team at your energy supplier, or another advice or grant giving agency.