Tell your supplier if you need extra support
This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales
If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies. You can apply to be added to your electricity network’s priority support register to get priority support for electricity and gas.
For example, your suppliers might agree to:
move your prepayment meter if you struggle to get to it
make your call a priority when you contact them
send someone to check your meter regularly
send you bills in large print or braille, or to another person - for example, a family member or carer
arrange for their engineers to tell you a password or show you a picture ID card if they need to visit or contact you - so you can check they’re genuine
help reconnect your gas supply, if you need it
You’ll also get advance notice of planned power cuts - for example, if they’re doing engineering work. If you have a power cut you can get extra support - for example, someone could be sent to check or you could get hot meals provided.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills
You might be able to get help, you should check:
if you can get a grant or benefit to help pay your energy bill
how your supplier can help if you’re behind with your energy bills
how to get temporary credit if you can’t top up your prepayment meter
You can apply even if you don't have an energy supplier - for example if you live in a park home and pay the park owner for your energy.
If you have a gas supply, your electricity network will give your details to your gas network operator. This means they can also add you to their priority services registers and offer you extra support.
Your gas network operator and energy supplier should contact you to confirm you’ve been added to their register.
If you’re not sure if you’re already on the priority services register, ask your supplier, electricity network and gas network operator. You can find their contact details on their website or on a letter or bill.
Check if you're eligible
You'll normally be able to get priority services if your energy companies class you as 'vulnerable'.
You could be classed as vulnerable if you're disabled or have a long-term health condition. This includes hearing, sight and mental health conditions. Your supplier might also agree you're vulnerable if you:
have reached your State Pension age
don't speak or read English well
have children under 5 or are pregnant
have no sense of smell or you would struggle to smell gas
would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency
are recovering from an injury
If your situation isn't listed, you might still be able to sign up for priority services for other reasons - for example, if you're recently bereaved or you've returned to living independently after some time in residential care.
If you claim benefits
You might be able to get a free annual gas safety check if you own your home and claim a ‘means tested benefit’ - for example Universal Credit, ESA or Income Support.
You’ll qualify if you live with a child under 5. Otherwise, you’ll qualify if you’re disabled, chronically ill or have reached state pension age and live:
on your own
with others who are disabled, chronically ill or of pensionable age
You can check your state pension age on GOV.UK.
Check if something is an energy scam
Some scammers are pretending to be from energy companies to get your personal information.
If you think something might be a scam:
don’t give out any personal information or bank details
don’t use any contact details from the possible scam
Fill in the priority services form
To find the right form, the first thing you’ll need to do is find out which electricity network covers your area.
Your electricity network is the company that supplies electricity in your area - this is different to the company that sends your bills.
Once you know your electricity network, you can fill in the form on their website to apply for priority services. You’ll need to give your contact details, and answer a few questions about your requirements.
Find your electricity network's priority services register application form
Find out how to apply to your electricity network on the Priority Services Register website.
You only need to apply to your electricity network - even if the website shows your gas provider as well.
If you need information in a different format or language
Tell your electricity network how you want to be contacted. They should send you information in a way you find accessible. This might be:
large print
braille
a telephone call
a language that isn’t English
easy read
The priority services register application form should ask how you prefer information sent to you. If it doesn’t, there should be a box to give extra details. Use this box to tell your electricity network about your preferred contact method.
Your electricity network will pass your details to your gas network operator as well as your energy suppliers. They will all add you to their priority services registers and offer you extra support. You’ll need to agree to share your information - you’ll usually have to tick a box on the application form.
After you apply, your energy companies will tell you if you can get priority services. They might also ask extra questions about what help you need.
If you don’t hear from your energy companies
It's worth calling your energy companies if you don't hear anything within 2 weeks - you can find their phone numbers on their websites.
Ask them:
if you're on their priority services register
what support they can offer you - give as much detail as you can about your needs
If you move home
Your new home might be covered by a different electricity network. This means you'll need to apply for priority services again.
If you’re struggling with living costs
If you’re struggling with money, there are things you can do to save on your regular living costs. Check what to do if you need help with living costs.
If you’re finding it hard to pay your bills, you can get help. Find out more about getting help with your bills.
You can also get help with debts.
If you're struggling to pay for food, find out how to get help from a food bank.