Help with energy costs
Clear, practical guidance and support pathways for households struggling with energy bills.
Who this page is for
This page is for people who are finding it hard to keep up with energy costs, including households that are:
- Struggling to pay gas or electricity bills
- Worried about debt, arrears, or prepayment meters
- Unsure of their rights when dealing with energy suppliers
- Experiencing higher energy needs due to their circumstances
You do not need to understand the energy system to get help. This page explains what support is available and how to access it.
What fuel poverty means
Fuel poverty happens when a household cannot afford to keep their home warm and powered at a reasonable cost.
It is often caused by a combination of:
- Low or unstable income
- High energy prices
- Inefficient housing
- Limited control over energy contracts
Fuel poverty is a systemic problem — not a personal failure.
How the Centre for Energy Literacy can help
The Centre for Energy Literacy provides independent, non-commercial support.
We help by:
- Explaining your rights in plain language
- Providing practical guidance on reducing energy use safely
- Helping you understand bills, meters, and tariffs
- Connecting you to trusted charities and support schemes
In some cases, we may be able to provide direct support, but much of our work focuses on making sure people reach the right help as quickly as possible.
Getting support: how it works
Support is provided through a simple, step-by-step process.
- Check your eligibility
Answer a small number of questions to help us understand your situation. - Apply for support
If appropriate, you can submit a short application describing your circumstances. - Next steps
We will either:- Contact you with guidance or support options, or
- Refer you to a partner charity better placed to help
We aim to be clear about what we can and cannot do, and about expected response times.
Check if you may be eligible for support
Our eligibility checker helps identify whether you may qualify for support or should be directed to another organisation.
It is:
- Free to use
- Written in plain language
- Designed to take only a few minutes
Apply for support
If the eligibility checker suggests you may be able to receive help, you can submit a short application.
The application:
- Does not require document uploads (at this stage)
- Focuses on understanding your situation
- Is reviewed by a real person
Your data and privacy
We take privacy seriously.
- We only collect information needed to provide support
- We do not sell or share data for marketing
- Information is handled in line with our published policies
You can read more in our Privacy Policy and Data Protection information.
If you need urgent help
If you are at immediate risk of disconnection, without heating, or in crisis:
- Contact your energy supplier and explain your situation
- Ask about emergency credit, payment plans, or hardship support
- Reach out to specialist support charities listed on our support pages
We also provide links to organisations that can help urgently.
About the Centre for Energy Literacy
The Centre for Energy Literacy is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (application submitted).
Our purpose is to improve public understanding of the UK energy system and to support fairer outcomes for households and businesses.
We are governed by an independent board of trustees and operate on a non-commercial basis.
About the Centre
Governance & transparency
Support our work
Our work is funded by donations and grants.
If you are able to contribute, your support helps us:
- Produce clear, independent guidance
- Assist households facing fuel poverty
- Work with partner charities across the UK
Donations are always optional.