ENERGY bills are set to reach record high levels this winter, but some energy firms are offering help to vulnerable households.

The amount that a household pays for each kilowatt hour of electricity it uses will rise to 34p from October 1.

Gas prices will go from 7p to 10p per kilowatt hour under the new guarantee.

It means that the typical household in the UK will spend around £2,500 on its energy bills – but those that use a lot of gas and electricity will naturally pay more.

There's nothing you can do to avoid the hike, but there are schemes and funds available to hold your hand throughout the energy crisis.

Energy suppliers are also offering cash grants to those hardest hit by bill rises.

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You'll need to contact your supplier directly to see what they offer, what the eligibility requirements are, and how much you can get.

If you don't know who your supplier is, you can find out here.

Households can get up to £1,500 in grants from the British Gas Energy Trust to help pay their bills.

The debt relief grant is available to both British Gas customers and customers of other energy firms.

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Scottish Power will pay up to £750 in grants to help its customers pay off their energy debt.

E.ON, Octopus Energy and Ovo Energy also offer grants worth hundreds.

We explain all the help that is available, if you are eligible, and how you can claim.

British Gas Energy Support Fund

• Applications open? Yes

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund – you can be a British Gas Customer, or a customer from another supplier.

You could get a grant worth up to £1,500.

To be considered for a grant you must meet all the following criteria:

• You live in England, Scotland or Wales
• You have not received a grant from the British gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
• You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to your main residence
• You have electric and/or gas debt
• You must be in or facing fuel poverty
• You have received help from a money advice agency

To support your application you'll need to provide evidence that you've received money advice in the last three months. You'll also need proof of your current household income.

British Gas customers will also need a recent meter reading – unless they're on a smart meter.

OVO Energy

Ovo customers who are struggling as a result of rising energy prices will be able to access a new £50million customer support package from October 1.

The package includes a debt repayment holiday for all prepayment meter customers and free energy saving products for customers' homes.

Ovo said it remains dedicated to its pledge to never disconnect customers who fall behind on their payments.

It also launched a dedicated website where customers can find out more about each element of support.

Direct debit customers have access to an online payment support tool, which can be accessed on the Ovo website.

It can help customers to assess the right plan for them.

Ovo said the most vulnerable customers may be able to have their direct debits reduced by up to 15%.

Ovo says customers who pay on receipt of bills can create a bespoke payment plan, lasting for 36 months.

It says this has been increased from 24 months to help ease the bill burden this winter.

Ovo is increasing its emergency credit from £5 to £15 for prepayment customers.

It is also making sure that if customers are switched to a prepayment plan, they will receive regular check ins to make sure they can get through the winter.

Prepayment customers will also be offered a payment holiday from debt repayment.

Customers will also be offered energy saving products for customers’ homes, such as smart thermostats and electric throws – prioritised for those most in need.

You may also be able to claim a free boiler service worth £90, to ensure they are working efficiently this winter.

There will also be dedicated support for our customers in the most financial difficulty from a specialist team

Ovo has also announced a new partnership with the Trussell Trust to support food banks this winter.

It will also continue its partnership with debt charity Stepchange.

E.ON Grants

• Applications open? Yes

Customers of both E.ON and E.ON next can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.

E.ON doesn't have an established eligibility criteria but the Fund aims to help as many people as possible and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised. 

In order to complete your application you will need to know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading.

Depending on your circumstances you'll be asked to provide the following items of evidence:

• Proof of all household income for yourself and anyone living with you for the current tax year.
• All pages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating your entitlement to a benefit and the amounts due to be paid for the current tax year
• Pension letters for State or private pensions.
• Medical confirmation from the organisation that referred to you the fund or a medical DS1500 form or medical confirmation from a consultant or your doctor.
• Evidence of a budget sheet that was issued to you when you received professional money advice from the FCA approved agency. The budget sheet must be dated within the last 4 weeks and be on company headed paper.

EDF Customer Support Fund

• Applications open? Yes

To get a cash grant from EDF you'll first have to register for its priority services.

Once you've done this and the firm has assessed your circumstances you'll be able to apply for an energy grant.

You'll need to have your EDF account number and current energy debt balances ready, along with details of your household finances and vulnerability.

Octopus Energy Assist Fund

• Applications open? Yes

Octopus Energy offers a number of support options based on circumstances and need, including access to existing schemes, monetary support from the firms' fund, or a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home.

Octopus is encouraging all customers to get in contact if you're struggling with your bills.

Scottish Power Hardship Fund

• Applications open? Yes

Customers could get up to £750 in grants from Scottish Power to help with their energy bills.

You could qualify for help from the Scottish Power Hardship Fund if you’re receiving

• Income Support,
• Job Seekers Allowance,
• Pension Credit, or
• Employment and Support Allowance

If you think you're eligible for the cash grant you can apply online and should get a response within five working days.

What other help is available?

You could also get in touch with your local council to see if they are still running the Household Support Fund, although many of those schemes have closed.

Charities and other organisations often offer grants and you might be able to spend that money on energy costs.

You can search for these kind of grants on the Turn2Us website.

All households in England, Scotland and Wales will get a £400 energy bill discount.

It will be paid in six monthly instalments from October until March 2023.

Households will see a discount of £66 applied to their bills in October and November, and £67 in December, January, February and March.

It's up to energy suppliers to dish out the discount – and how they will pay it varies.

British Gas, EDF Energy, Ovo Energy and Scottish Power have confirmed they will credit the discount to customers' bank accounts for those paying their bills by direct debit.

Bulb, E.ON and E.ON Next, Shell Energy, Octopus Energy, So Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse will not pay the discount into customer bank accounts.

Thousands of households can apply for free home improvements – and the measures could save you up to £520 on your bills.

Councils run schemes where you can apply for energy efficiency grants worth up to £10,000 to make your home greener.

If you're eligible for the help, you can get your home fitted with insulation, double glazing, solar panels and energy efficient doors.

In most areas, homeowners must have a total income of less than £30,000 to get a full £10,000 grant.

If your income is less than £30,000 then you could receive up to £10,000 in the offered grant.

If your household income is more than £30,000 a year you can qualify for up to £5,000 of grant funding.

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Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G to be eligible.

The Sun has put together a guide to everything you need to know as energy bills rise from October 1 – including meter readings and grants.

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