Tens of thousands of energy customers to get 50% off bills this winter – are you eligible?
TENS of thousands of energy customers are in line for an up to 50% discount on their bills.
E.On Next has launched its “Winter Support” scheme offering hard-up households money off their gas and electricity.
Under the scheme, eligible customers with no energy debt will be offered 25% off a standard variable tariff from the time of signing up until March 2024.
Meanwhile, eligible customers with energy debt will be offered 50% off over the same time period.
Any customers signing up in debt will have it cleared in March next year, if they meet all payments on the discounted tariff.
The scheme is available to E.ON Next customers with a household income of less than £19,000 a year.
Those with medical dependencies and a household income of less than £31,000 a year also qualify.
Eligible households do not need to get in touch with E.ON Next but will be contacted via email, letter, phone and text with further information on how to apply.
An E.ON Next spokesperson said: “Our intention is to help as many customers as possible through this scheme, through the funding we have committed.
“We will also continue to lobby for targeted financial support, such as a social tariff, to be implemented across the industry.”
Customers looking for further details on the Winter Support scheme can read more on E.ON Next’s blog.
What other help is there?
Anyone not eligible for the Winter Support scheme can still get help via E.ON Next’s Energy Fund.
Customers can apply for grants to cover energy bills and get help replacing appliances such as cookers, fridges or washing machines.
E.ON doesn’t specify how much you can get for grants, but you will need to be in financial hardship.
You will also need to show you have made regular payments towards your energy bill over a three-month period.
You can apply on the firm’s website and will need to provide certain information like proof of income and any proof of entitlement to benefits.
You may also need to upload a meter reading.
What about if I’m not an E.ON Next customer?
You can still get help even if you’re not with E.ON Next.
A number of energy firms offer struggling customers grants if they can’t afford to pay their bills.
British Gas, Scottish Power and Octopus Energy all offer help worth up to £1,500.
You should contact your supplier to see what help is available.
Meanwhile, you might be able to get help paying for your energy bills via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The fund is worth £842million and has been distributed among local councils in England who are allocating it based on their own criteria.
That means what help you can get varies depending on where you live but in most cases you’ll receive help if you are on benefits or a low income.
Some local authorities are handing out energy vouchers while others are paying money directly into bank accounts.
You should contact your local council to see if you can get any help.
You can find out what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool.
On top of this, you might also be able to get help via a cost of living payment.
There’s two instalments left of the £900 payment to be made while thousands of pensioners are set for a top up worth up to £300 on their winter fuel payments.
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