Help with energy bills
You should have received your first ‘Cost of Living’ payment of £326 from the government if, on 25 May 2022, you were receiving a means-tested benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income related employment and support allowance, income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance. Your second payment of £324 will be sent in the Autumn.
For those on tax credits, your first payment will be in September - if you haven’t received it already - and the second in the Winter.
People who were receiving disability benefits on 25 May 2022 should get an additional payment in September of £150 and pensioners receiving Winter Fuel Payment will receive an additional £300 per household this year. Winter Fuel Payments are usually paid automatically in November without needing to make a claim if you already get a state pension.
From October, bill payers will start to receive money off their electricity bills; £67 in October and November and £66 for the remaining four months. If you pay by pre-payment meter and do not have a smart pre-payment meter, your utility company will send you a voucher either by text or email. It’s important that your utility company has your up-to-date contact details or you could miss out!
Remember - if you’re struggling with repaying money you owe to a creditor, as a Raven customer you’re entitled to free, confidential and impartial help through Reigate and Banstead Citizens Advice Bureau, even if you don’t live in this area. You can contact them on 0808 278 7945 or get in touch with our Moneywise team.
We can also refer you to our Customer Support Fund if you’re struggling financially and have no other sources of help. See website - www.ravenht.org.uk/customer-support-fund - for more details of the kind of things we can help you with.