HOUSEHOLDS struggling to pay their energy bills will be given more help this winter as the cold weather sets in.
Energy providers voluntarily agreed to support vulnerable customers during the cornavirus crisis, but energy regulator Ofgem is now making rules first announced in June permanent to help households all year round.
From December 15, suppliers will have to offer emergency credit to customers struggling to top up their prepayment meter.
This could be because they temporarily cannot afford to top up or get to their local shop because of a mobility issue or due to self-isolation for example.
Suppliers will also have to offer extra prepayment credit to households in vulnerable circumstances to provide more breathing space while they work out how to pay their energy bills.
Ofgem hopes these requirements will reduce the number of prepayment customers who go without energy or “self-disconnect” after running out of credit on their meter.