Rising energy bills can be a real worry, particularly when you’re already dealing with the challenges of cancer or another health condition.
Cancer can bring additional financial pressures, whether that’s taking time away from work, increased household costs, travel to appointments or simply managing day-to-day life while you’re unwell. Worrying about how you’ll pay your energy bills can add another layer of stress.
Recently, we welcomed the Basingstoke Citizens Advice team to one of our patient support groups, where they talked to our members about the rising cost of living and shared practical advice on getting help with energy costs.
We’d like to say a big thank you to the team for joining us and sharing their knowledge and advice.
We know that money worries can add another layer of stress when you’re living with illness, so we wanted to share some of the information they discussed.
Are You getting All The Support You’re Entitled To?
One of the first things Citizens Advice recommends is checking whether you’re receiving all the benefits and financial support you may be entitled to.
Free benefits calculators can help you check what you could be entitled to:
👉 Turn2Us: Tackling Financial Insecurity Together | Turn2us
👉 Better Off: Better Off Calculator – Policy in Practice
You can also speak to Citizens Advice for help with a benefits check.
📞 Call their Adviceline (0808 278 7829) to speak to an advisor who can help do a benefit check with you over the phone.
Check Your Energy Tariff
It’s worth checking what energy tariff you’re currently on and whether there could be a cheaper option. If you’re happy with your current energy supplier, you can contact them to ask about the tariffs they offer. It’s also worth shopping around to see whether another supplier could offer you a better deal.
👉 Uswitch has a free comparison tool that can help you compare energy deals: https://www.uswitch.com/
Could You Get A Social Tariff?
If you receive certain means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be able to access cheaper rates for some services.
Social tariffs may be available for:
- Mobile phones
- Broadband and internet
- Water
Check with your provider to see what support is available to you.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a one-off £150 discount on electricity bills for eligible households.
You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible and your electricity supplier will apply it to your bill.
You qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low-income and in receipt of means-tested benefits
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
If you think you may be eligible, contact your energy supplier or check the latest government guidance.
👉 Find out more about the Warm Home Discount: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Warm Homes: Local Grant
If you live in England and are on a low income, you may also be eligible for the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
The scheme can provide free energy-efficiency improvements to eligible homes. Depending on your circumstances and your home, this could include measures such as insulation, smart controls, solar panels or other improvements.
👉 Find out more about the Warm Homes: Local Grant: https://www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant
Priority Services Register
If you have a health condition or disability, you may also be eligible for the Priority Services Register.
The register can provide additional support if you experience problems with your energy supply or need extra help communicating with your supplier.
Depending on your circumstances, support can include:
- Extra help and information during a power or gas supply interruption
- Communication in a format that works for you
- Additional support with meter readings
- Extra help if you’re struggling with your energy bills
You are eligible for free PSR services if you:
- Live with children under five
- Are pregnant
- Are of pensionable age
- Have a health condition or disability
👉 The Priority Services Register: https://thepsr.co.uk/
You can also contact your energy supplier to ask whether you are eligible.
Simple Ways To Reduce Energy Use
There are also some simple things you can do around the home that may help reduce your energy use.
Citizens Advice highlighted measures including:
- Switch off appliances instead of leaving them on standby – save around £65 a year.
- Turn off lights can save around £25 a year
- Closing curtains at night keeps the cold out and the heat in.
- Avoid overfilling the kettle and only boil the water you need to save £13 a year.
- The ideal indoor temperature is 18 to 21 degrees. Turning down the thermostat by 1 degree can save £80 a year
- Washing at 30 degrees can save you £22 a year
- Avoid using a tumble dryer – dry clothes on racks inside a well-ventilated room, or outside in warmer weather to save £70 a year
- Replace your light bulbs with LED bulbs can save £40 a year
- Using a smart meter means your bills are always accurate and not estimated, and helps you track your spending
- Using timer settings on your central heating so that it only comes on when you need it also saves money.
- Avoid using plug in heaters.
- Consider signing up for a renewable energy tariff.
- Draught proofing windows and doors can save £70 a year, though there is an up front cost of around £250
- Draught proofing your chimney can save £50 a year.
- Draught proofing flooring, loft hatches, pipe work or cracks in walls.
- Removing blocks or seals to ventilation prevents damp.
- Turning heating down by just one degree – could save you £145 a year.
- Installing a hot water jacket for your hot water tank costs as little as £25 and saves £35 a year.
- Turn down the boiler flow temperature
- Move furniture away from radiators
- Using a slow cooker is much cheaper than using an oven and makes very tasty meals!
Remember, keeping warm is important for your health, particularly if you are living with a health condition. Saving money shouldn’t mean making your home uncomfortably cold.
Help With Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
If you need help making your home more energy efficient, organisations such as the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) may be able to provide advice and support, including home visits.
📞 LEAP: 07879 653745
Don’t Struggle Alone
If you’re worried about your energy bills, debt or other household costs, it’s worth asking for help.
Citizens Advice offers free, independent advice on issues including benefits, debt, energy, housing and employment.
🌐 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
📞 General Adviceline – 0808 278 7829
Further Support
- Help Through Hardship – 0808 208 2138
- Consumer Helpline – 0808 223 1133
- Debt Helpline – 0800 240 4420
- Help to Claim Universal Credit – 0800 144 8 444
- Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) – 07879 653745
- Shelter (Housing Advice) – 0808 800 4444
- ACAS (Employment) – 0300 123 1100
Thank You
We’d like to thank the Basingstoke Citizens Advice team again for taking the time to come along to our patient support group and for providing such useful information to our members.
When you’re already dealing with the physical and emotional impact of illness, financial worries can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, knowing where to turn is the first step towards getting some support.
Please note: Energy schemes, benefits and eligibility criteria can change. Always check the latest information with Citizens Advice, your energy supplier or the relevant organisation before making decisions based on this information.
