COVID-19 Energy Advice
Advice From Ofgem
- Medically vulnerable clients should apply to the Suppliers Priority Services register - please note, extra support is available as a result of successful registration – including priority assistance during power outages and – possibly - financial support.
- Inform energy suppliers immediately if you are unable to top-up prepayment meters, even if you have sufficient credit for the time being.
- Energy suppliers must provide customers with details of support available if they are unable to top-up. This may include sending a top-up directly to the meter, sending out a preloaded top-up card or sending an engineer to top up the meter.
- No credit meters will be disconnected during this outbreak.
- Energy companies must offer affordable repayment arrangements for customers who fall into debt.
- Additional financial support will likely become available to assist with debts and debt write-off as part of the Govt financial response package.
General information / requests from all energy companies:
- Energy companies will deal with emergency call outs only. No new smart meters will be fitted.
- If an emergency appointment needs to go ahead, please notify the energy company if anyone within the household is:
- self-isolating
- showing any symptoms of respiratory illness
- vulnerable - aged 65+, pregnant, disabled or otherwise unwell
- Energy companies are requesting that customers do not contact them unless it is an emergency or in the interests of vulnerable customers. Expect long waits.
- Please disinfect cards and keys before and after use.
- Supplies of cards and keys are running very low nationwide.
- Most energy companies top-up using either payzone, paypoint or the post office. If your usual top-up facility is closed, you can locate the nearest alternative facility by using the following websites:
Kent Support and Assistance Service
(KSAS) are providing short term assistance for residents who have experienced a reduction in income/ loss of employment or suffered financially from Coronavirus. The assistance on offer includes pre-paid energy vouchers.
Help from some of the larger suppliers can be found at:
British Gas
Bulb
Ecotricity
EDF
E.ON
nPower
Octopus
OVO & SSE
Scottish Power
Utilita