What should I do if I have difficulty paying my bills?

Under the terms of their supply license, suppliers must offer you help and advice if you have difficulties paying your bills. You should contact your supplier as soon as possible to discuss available options if you think that you may get into difficulties paying your bill.

How can my supplier help me?

Your supplier should discuss with you the best way to pay your bill. They should be able to provide you with the following services:

• Arranging a payment plan to clear the debt in instalments;

• Installing a pre-payment meter, if it is safe and practical to do so. Each time the meter is credited, a portion of the credit is used to pay off the debt;

• Accepting deductions from your social security benefits;

• Providing information about how you might be able to reduce your bills by using electricity more efficiently.

What happens if I can't pay my bill? Could I be disconnected?

If you are in debt to a supplier, and you refuse to accept any arrangements your supplier puts forward to try and clear your debt, your household may be disconnected until such time as you make arrangements to clear your debt.

Energy suppliers have a commitment to avoid disconnecting customers who are elderly, disabled or chronically ill, during the winter months.

Is there anything else that I can do?

If you have difficulty paying your bills, and are unhappy with the way your supplier has handled your problems, you should contact the consumer watchdog energywatch for assistance. Click here to visit the energywatch website at