Are you struggling to pay your fuel bills?

Since the start of the year, we have already seen an increase in clients contacting us who are struggling with their household energy bills. They are also sharing wider concerns about how they will cope in the future, with energy prices and the cost of living set to rise.

Fuel poverty is serious issue. People living on, or below, the official poverty line, with higher-than-average fuel costs, can find their lives and health are severely impacted.

Cold or damp homes and having to restrict home energy consumption to keep bills low, can cause people to develop physical and emotional health issues, and make existing health conditions worse.

Those with low incomes and living in properties that are not energy efficient, are often hit the hardest. This is because they tend to pay more for energy and rental charges, or their homes are in a poor state of disrepair. These people will be severely impacted by increased levels of fuel poverty.

In addition, those who have managed on their incomes up until now, could find from April (when energy prices are due to significantly increase), they also struggle to afford to heat their homes and pay their energy bills. This is going to be a tough time for people everywhere, and we can help.

Our teams can assist with all issues relating to fuel poverty. We can advise on improving home efficiency, maximising income, finding energy grants, discounts, and capped social tariffs to ease the increased financial strain.

We have our own specialist advice services, to help address any impacting concerns, such as arrears, debt, benefits checks, housing, immigration, and employment issues.

One example of how we help with complex issues, is a client we met last month. They were pregnant and living alone in a small property with barely any furniture. They had an extremely low income and could not afford to heat their home. In addition, they have difficulties reading and writing, health issues and no support network. They were struggling to afford food and daily essentials, with added financial hardship, due to making debt repayments.

We provided immediate crisis support via fuel and food bank referrals. Then, looked for ways to maximise their income and reduce bills – helping them to apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Social Water Tariffs. The client was also signed up for the Priority Services Registers. We explored the client's wider circumstances thoroughly, referred them for housing mediation, and our MaPS (Money & Pensions Service) team for free debt advice. Our Positive Minds team offered ongoing emotional and wellbeing support.

We connected the client to a charity providing furniture and Portsmouth Baby Bank who provided essentials for when their baby arrives. We then helped them to apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant.

"I have had so much help; I am really very grateful. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me."